THE  LIBRARY 

OF 
THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 


COMMODORE  BYRON  MCCANDLESS 


RS// 


MAJ.  G£N.  PHILIP    SCHUYLLR. 


G.PT-TITI^W  i  CO 


THE 


SEXAGENARY: 


OB, 


Qtminmtntt*  of  ijje  American 


Old  age  prates  willingly,  as  well  you  know, 
And  loves  to  talk  about  the  strange  old  times 
That  are  no  more .-. .  WIBLAND. 


ALBANY.  N.  Y. : 

J.  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 

1866. 


LETTER  TO  THE  PUBLISHER. 


J.  MUNSELL  Esq.: 

Many  years  ago,  when  I  resided  in  the  city  of  Albany,  I  was 
frequently  attracted  to  your  office,  where  I  found  you,  combining 
with  the  practical  industry  of  printer  and  publisher,  an  antiqua- 
rian spirit,  intent  upon  the  rescue  of  the  traditional  and  document- 
ary history  of  that  old  town.  It  excited  my  respect  and  attention, 
which  have  followed  you  through  all  your  subsequent  literary  la- 
bors. I,  too,  had  been  an  explorer  in  the  same  direction,  and  you 
had  all  the  encouragement  I  could  give,  to  induce  you  to  continue 
in  your  career.  Since  then  you  have  preserved  from  neglect,  if 
not  from  oblivion,  its  very  interesting  annals,  and  many  local 
incidents  illustrating  its  progress  from  its  commencement  as  an 
outpost  of  the  New  Ketherland  down  to  its  becoming  the  popu- 
lous and  enterprising  capital  ofs  a  state  now  containing  more 
inhabitants  than  the  father  land.  I  do  not  know  whether  your 
labors  have  been  appreciated  by  the  people  of  Albany  as  fully  as 
they  deserve  to  be,  though  it  is  certain  they  owe  to  you  the 
rescue  of  their  most  interesting  monuments,  well  preserved 
and  cared  for,  with  the  inscriptions  restored  and  legible.  No  one 
can  ever  write  its  history  without  the  careful  study,  and  large  use  of 
the  Annals.  More  than  this,  with  much  originality  of  design  and 
execution,  you  have  collected  a  series  of  curious,  valuable,  ele- 
gantly printed  works,  illustrating  the  history  of  the  revolution, 
snatching  from  under  the  crushing  footsteps  of  time,  many  precious 
relics  which  otherwise  would  have  been  scattered  and  lost.  As 


iv  LETTER  TO  THE  PUBLISHER. 

the  editor  of  this  remarkable  series  of  works  you  have  gained  an 
enviable  reputation. 

In  complying  with  your  request  to  furnish  you  with  a  copy  of 
Tlie  Sexagenary  to  become  a  part  of  that  series,  I  do  so  under  the 
impression  that  it  contains  some  interesting  personal  statements, 
throwing  light  on  the  condition  of  our  northern  borders  during 
the  revolutionary  struggle ;  and  it,  so  far  at  least,  may  be  a  guide  to 
the  future  writer  who  shall  seek  to  portray  the  social  aspect  of 
that  time.  Unfortunately  there  are  but  few  personal  narratives  of 
the  period  extant,  for  those  were  not  the  days  for  writing  or  pub- 
lishing. 

This  little  work  was  untertaken  at  the  suggestion  of  Governor 
DeWitt  Clinton,  who,  at  the  same  time,  placed  at  my  disposition 
his  family  manuscripts,  for  the  illustration  of  a  part  of  the  narra- 
tive. So,  too,  those  of  General  Van  Schaick  were  put  in  my 
)  hands  for  a  similar  purpose ;  some  of  the  most  curious  of  which 
will  be  found  among  the  notes. 

In  revising  the  original  of  this  work  I  discovered  the  marks  of 
haste,  but  nevertheless  I  have  concluded  to  leave  the  text  of  the 
work  as  it  was,  as  artists  sometimes  do  their  early  productions, 
their  very  faults  and  slips  attesting  their  authenticity.  It  was 
prepared  for  the  personal  benefit  of  the  narrator,  but  now  that 
you  adopt  it  as  a  part  of  your  later  publications,  I  shall  secure 
for  it,  what  it  otherwise  might  not  have  attained,  the  advantage  of 
becoming  a  portion  of  your  valuable  series.  It  has  long  been  out 
of  print,  and  is  only  now  to  be  had  occasionally  by  collectors  who 
are  ready  to  pay  for  it  a  high  price,  and  one  much  beyond  its  value. 

The  present  edition,  with  some  notes  and  letters  never  before 
published,  may  give  it  more  consideration  than  it  had  before. 
Yours  very  truly, 

S.  DE  WITT  BLOODGOOD. 
^TEW  YORK,  Sept.  1, 1865. 


THE    SEXAGENARY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

JL  AM  aware  of  the  difficulties  which  beset  the 
author  of  a  personal  narrative.  His  opinions  are 
almost  always  tinged  with  prejudice,  and  his  sketches 
often  distinguished  by  their  mannerism.  His  efforts, 
be  they  ever  so  well  intended,  contribute  rather  to 
the  gratification  of  individual  taste  than  to  the 
benefit  of  science  at  large.  But  as  a  vast  proportion 
of  readers  prefer  amusement  to  philosophy,  the 
autobiographer  escapes  from  the  charge  of  being 
uninstructive,  if  he  contrives  to  make  his  story 
interesting.  Since  I  first  determined  to  publish 
these  reminiscences  I  have  taken  some  pains  to 
learn  the  character  of  this  species  of  authorship. 
I  stumbled,  as  it  were,  upon  the  memoirs  of  Gibbon, 
and  the  reading  of  his  elegant  compositions  has 
somewhat  damped  the  ardor  of  my  zeal.  But  he 
observes  that  if  "  they  are  sincere,  we  seldom 
complain  of  the  misfortunes  or  prolixity  of  these 
personal  memoirs."  Under  this  safeguard  I  shall 


6  KEVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES. 

attempt  tlie  humble  narrative  of  a  life  chiefly  spent 
in  the  neighborhood  of  our  northern  armies.  The 
principal  events  of  the  war  of  independence  are 
well  known,  and  their  happy  conclusion  has  made 
us  justly  proud  of  that  remarkable  era.  Yet  who 
does  not  regret  that  so  few  of  the  actors  on  that 
busy  stage  have  left  behind  them  the  written  records 
of  their  various  fortunes  ?  "We  have  now  but  a 
little  company  left  of  all  those  heroic  battalia.  One 
by  one  the  leaders  in  the  cabinet  and  the  warriors 
of  the  field  desert  the  scenes  of  their  renown. 
"What  a  rich  treat  would  even  the  "trivial  fond 
records"  of  their  personal  history  afford  to  those 
who  seek  to  rescue  their  motives,  their  actions  and 
their  characters  from  the  biting  tooth  of  time  !  The 
memoirs  of  some  of  those  sagacious  old  men  who 
formed  our  committees  of  safety,  the  correspondence 
of  the  most  intelligent  of  the  Whigs  of  our  own 
state,  would  be  rich  in  those  incidents  by  which  we 
judge  of  men  and  things,  now  rapidly  vanishing 
from  the  view.  Such  details  every  reflecting  mind 
would  relish ;  for  what  are  the  events  of  life,  the 
epochs  of  history,  and  the'  annals  of  nations,  but 
exhibitions  of  the  powers  of  the  human  mind  dis- 
played in  the  multifarious  forms  of  its  own  strange 
embodying  ?  These  are  the  gems  of  its  casket,  or 
the  poison  of  its  laboratory. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  7 

Biography,  however,  which  is  to  history  what 
groups  are  to  the  canvass,  is  more  directly  addressed 
to  our  individual  sympathy,  since  it  narrows 
the  view  of  the  observer  to  some  particular  point, 
and  appeals  to  every  class  and  condition,  by  the 
presentment  of  some  trait,  some  resemblance  which 
becomes  the  more  striking,  the  more  irresistible, 
as  it  conforms  to  circumstances  which  have  befallen 
ourselves. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Johnson  that  there  has 
rarely  passed  a  life,  of  which  a  judicious  and  faithful 
\  narrative  would  be  without  advantage.  It  was  he 
who  also  asserted  that  the  motives  of  great  or  little 
actions  were  founded  alike  in  the  depths  of  the 
human  heart;  upon  this  principle,  the  biography 
of  the  humblest  individual  might  be  fraught  with 
as  much  advantage  to  mankind,  as  that  of  the  high 
born,  the  beautiful  and  brave.  "  The  prince,"  said 
he,  "  who  loses  his  empire,  feels  no  more  indignation 
in  proportion  to  his  consequence,  than  the  luckless 
farmer,  at  the  wretch  who  steals  his  cow." 

Fortified  by  authority  so  respectable,  and  more 
than  all  induced  by  the  cares  of  poverty  which  now 
press  upon  me  with  a  weight  unfelt  in  happier  years, 
I  have  at  the  instance  of  a  gentleman,  who  has 
befriended  me  in  adversity,  consented  to  entrust  to 
his  hands,  the  incidents  of  my  life  for  publication. 


8  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

Old  age  is  garrulous,  but  the  grain  of  wheat  often 
lurks  in  the  bushel  of  chaff,  and  a  piping  voice,  be 
it  never  so  musical,  may  convey  a  lesson  replete 
with  the  wisdom  of  experience. 

I  am  by  no  means  a  veteran  —  I  never  was  in 
actual  combat,  but  I  can  shoulder  my  crutch,  exult- 
ing at  the  remembrance  of  the  fight,  and  show  how 
fields  were  won.  I  was  neither  continental,  nor 
levy.  I  served  in  the  unpretending,  but  not  useless 
character  of  a  wagoner,  in  the  quarter  master's 
department,  at  one  time  actively  employed  in  for- 
warding cannon,  and  laboring  with  my  own  horses  ; 
at  another  carrying  the  relief  which  saved  a  post. 
My  station  in  life  was  that  of  a  farmer  in  respectable 
circumstances,  and  rather  above  that  which  furnished 
the  usual  recruits  for  the  regular  army.  In  the 
course  of  numerous  journeys,  I  had  the  opportunity 
of  seeing  and  hearing  much  more  than  if  I  had 
been  a  common  soldier.  I  shall  confine  myself 
principally  to  those  incidents  which  I  witnessed, 
or  which  were  naturally  the  subject  of  conversation 
among  my  own  connections.  My  view  of  things 
may  be  somewhat  novel  on  this  account.  Many 
persons  at  the  present  day  would  be  pleased  to 
know,  and,  if  possible,  to  realize  the  feelings  and 
reflections  of  even  ordinary  individuals  during  our 
revolution.  "We  are  familiar  with  the  contemplation  of 


REVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES.  9 

the  brilliant  achievements  of  our  distinguished 
officers.  We  scarcely  admire  any  other  scenes 
than  those  dignified  by  the  presence  of  our  heroes 
and  sages.  We  gaze  on  them  as  on  a  splendid  pano- 
rama, over  which  we  follow  with  delight  the  lights 
and  shades  of  the  great  events  in  which  they  bore 
a  part.  "We  watch  with  admiration  the  processions 
of  pomp  and  circumstance  in  which  they  figure, 
as  they  glide  over  the  scene.  On  the  other  hand, 
of  the  details,  the  secret  springs,  the  characters  of 
the  humble  assistants  of  the  machinery,  we  are  too 
often  left  in  ignorance.  I  propose,  therefore,  to 
show,  in  the  instance  of  my  own  household,  how 
we  bore  our  share  of  the  troubles  of  the  times,  how 
they  affected  our  comfort,  or  disturbed  our  repose. 
Thousands,  like  my  own  father  and  his  family, 
suffered  and  lamented,  rejoiced  and  exulted,  un- 
known to  any  beyond  their  immediate  neighborhood, 
yet  doing  their  duty  zealously  and  faithfully  in 
their  proper  spheres.  If  the  illustration  of  such 
principles,  and  the  examples  of  such  persons  are 
worthy  of  a  place  in  the  corner  of  my  readers' 
memories;  if  amid  the  splendid  achievements  of 
art,  of  education,  and  of  commerce,  now  dazzling 
our  eyes,  a  recurrence  to  other  days  shall  not  prove 
tedious  or  obtrusive  —  pardon  an  old  man's  garru- 
lity and  read  on. 


[10] 


CHAPTER  n. 

IK 
AM  fast  losing  my  claim  to  the  title  I  have  as- 
sumed at  the  head  of  this  reminiscence.  In  four 
years  more  I  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  three 
score  and  ten.  I  was  born  in  Schoharie,  and  my  father 
was  a  farmer  in  independent  circumstances,  at  least 
for  those  days.  The  fields  he  tilled  were  his  only 
patrimony,  and  he  found  them  still  rich  and  fertile, 
as  they  were  represented  to  have  been  when  culti- 
vated by  his  ancestors.  The  year  of  my  birth  was 
that  of  the  introduction  of  the  stamp  act.  What 
advantage  a  piece  of  paper  possessed,  because  it 
bore  certain  marks  upon  it,  more  than  any  other 
piece  without  them,  seemed  quite  a  problem  with 
the  honest  yeomanry  of  the  day.  This  absurdity, 
as  it  appeared,  roused  the  spirit  of  the  people,  and 
though  the  population  of  the  province  was  only 
90,000,  yet  their  resentment  rose  to  a  pitch  of  vio- 
lence quite  disproportioned  to  the  actual  means  of 
resistance.  My  father  often  told  me  that  I  had 
commencedmy  career  in  a  stormy  period,  andthatthe 
unsettled  state  of  the  times  would  probably  have 
an  injurious  effect  upon  my  prospects,  as  well  as  the 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  11 

means  of  advancement  of  every  young  man  of  my 
age.  And  so  I, have  found  it.  The  opportunities 
of  mental  improvement  were  almost  of  necessity 
denied  to  us.  Newspapers  we  had  none,  and  the 
simplest  compilations  of  grammar  and  arithmetic 
were  scarce  and  almost  unattainable.  "When  I  now 
contemplate  the  paternal  care  of  the  state,  extended 
to  its  numerous  youth,  and  its  noble  appropriations 
to  sustain  the  cause  of  education,  I  feel  at  what  a 
vast  distance  the  young  men  of  my  tune  were  from 
such  enviable  advantages.  The  whole  country  was 
disturbed,  and  continued  so  until  after  the  revolu- 
tion. The  introduction  of  the  stamp  paper  seemed 
to  be  the  signal  of  disorder.  The  bells  were  tolled 
throughout  the  states.  The  mobs  were  violent. 
My  father  often  spoke  of  them,  and  I  heard  him 
say  that  even  Lieut.  Govenor  Colden's  life  had  been 
threatened  at  ISTew  York;  that  his  stable  was  broken 
into  and  his  carriage  carried  off  and  burned  is  well 
known.  A  gentleman's  residence,  called  Vaux- 
hall,  was  rifled  and  destroyed,  and  many  valuable 
articles  of  a  tasteful  and  scientific  character,  the 
laborious  collection  of  years,  were  made  into  a  bon- 
fire and  burned,  upon  the  bare  presumption  that 
the  owner,  Major  James,  was  in  favor  of  the  obnox- 
ious law.  It  is  scarcely  possible  for  this  generation 
to  understand  the  state  of  feeling  prevalent  at  this 


12  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

time.  I  will  assert  what  I  believe  is  now  little 
known,  that  many  of  our  most  wealthy  and  influen- 
tial "Whigs  were  at  the  bottom  of  these  disorders. 
The  colonial  journals  of  that  year  will  show  an 
active  hostility  to  the  government,  that  became  at 
length  too  strong  for  the  arm  of  colonial  authority. 
After  the  Earl  of  Loudon  had  resigned  to  General 
Abercrombie  the  command  of  the  army  which  had 
reduced  Oswego,  my  father,  then  a  young  man,  was 
called  to  Sohenectady,  by  sudden  business.  He 
drove  his  own  horses  before  his  own  wagon.  That 
place  was  then  fortified.  It  had  the  shape  of  a 
parallelogram,  with  two  gates,  one  opening  to  the 
eastern,  and  the  other  to  the  northern  road,  and  was 
garrisoned  by  about  50  or  60  soldiers.  It  was 
planned  by  Philip  Yerplank,  an  engineer,  in  the 
year  1755,  and  for  his  services  at  this  post,  Albany 
and  Redhook,  where  also  there  was  a  battery,  he 
received  thirty  pounds  currency.  The  substantial 
look  of  my  father's  farm  equipage  engaged  the 
attention  of  a  wagon  master,  who,  without  any  cere- 
mony, pressed  him  into  the  service.  Instead  of 
returning  home  he  was  compelled  to  proceed  to 
Albany,  where  a  load  was  placed  upon  his  wagon, 
and  he  was  directed  to  take  up  his  line  of  march 
for  the  north.  The  army  stores  were  then  deposited 
in  the  warehouse  of  Mr.  Ten  Eyck,  and  the  load  he 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  13 

was  compelled  to  take  consisted  of  dry  goods  that 
were  wanted  at  Fort  Edward.     A  large  number  of 
persons  was  engaged  in  the   same  business ;  most 
of  them  against  their  wishes  and  interests.     The 
train  of  wagons  was  urged  forward,  and  the  cele- 
brated Colonel  Bradstreet  had  charge  and  direction 
of  the  convoy.     At  this  time  General  Abercrombie 
was  preparing  for  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga,  with 
an  army  superior  to  any  that  had  ever  taken  the 
field  in  Jforth  America.     My  father  told  me,  that 
though  unwilling  to  be  employed  in  other  people's 
business  to  the  injury  of  his  own,  he  was  anxious  to 
be  present  at  the  expected  battle.     In  order  to 
accomplish  his  purpose  he  turned  his  horse  loose 
into  the  fields,  and  took  the  place  of  a  provincial 
soldier,  in  a  company  to  which  was  attached  Lieut. 
Van  Schaick,  of  Albany,  afterwards  colonel  in  the 
continental   service.      The  circumstance,   from  its 
novelty,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  officer  com- 
manding the  wagon  corps,  and  he  interfered  to 
prevent  his  design,  upon  the  plea  that  the  army  did 
not  want  soldiers  so  much  as  it  did  wagoners.  Foiled 
in  this   attempt,  he  still  resolved  to  go   down  to 
the  lake  with  the  troops,  to  witness  the  attack,  and, 
the  better  to  escape  detection,  he  stole  off  to  a  party 
of  Indians,  assumed  the  dress  of  a  warrior,  and  so  well 
disguised  his  person,  as  to  be  undistinguished  from 


14  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

the  savages  themselves.  This  attempt  also  leaked 
out,  and  came  to  the  ears  of  Col.  Bradstreet,  who 
went  among  the  Indians  to  detect  the  delinquent. 
This  was  impossible,  for  the  Indians  were  too 
much  pleased  with  such  a  compliment  to  their  fash- 
ions in  dress  and  warfare  to  betray  the  young  vol- 
unteer. The  colonel  then  addressed  the  savages, 
and  said  that  he  knew  that  the  young  man  from  Scho- 
harie  was  amongst  them,  and,  unless  he  threw  off  his 
disguise  and  returned  to  his  duty,  he  would  sequester 
his  wagon  and  horses,  and  deprive  him  of  his  pay 
for  his  services.  My  father,  who  had  no  idea  that 
his  freak  would  draw  upon  him  such  consequences 
as  these,  stepped  out  of  the  group,  much  to  his  own 
mortification,  amid  roars  of  laughter  from  his  com- 
panions, who  began  to  strip  him  of  his  blankets  and 
feathers.  Even  the  savages  joined  in  the  laugh 
against  him,  as  he  stood  •  before  them,  like  the  daw 
stripped  of  his  borrowed  plumage. 


[15] 


CHAPTER  m. 

JViLY  father  had  no  reason  to  regret  the  interference 
of  Col.  Bradstreet.  He  escaped  much  personal 
danger  by  being  thwarted  in  his  designs.  The 
complete  discomfiture  of  the  army  followed  the 
attempt  on  Ticonderoga.  Gen.  James  Abercrombie1 
seemed  incapable  of  command.  If  I  mistake  not, 
he  had  seen  service  in  the  West  Indies,  and  until 
his  defeat  was  thought  to  have  been  an  able  officer. 
The  death  of  Lord  Howe,  whose  fine  personal 
appearance  my  father  often  described  to  me,  occurred 
in  this  unfortunate  battle.  His  body  was  brought 
down  to  Albany  by  his  sorrowing  friends,  and 
deposited  under  or  near  the  pulpit  of  the  English 
church.  A  monument  to  his  memory  was  erected 
in  Westminster  Abbey,  at  the  expense  of  the  colony 
of  Massachusetts. 

When  the  army  fell  back  to  its  former  position, 
at  the  head  of  Lake  George,  the  wagoners  were 

1  It  has  been  quite  a  common  error,  to  consider  the  General 
Abercrombie  of  our  early  historians  the  same  person  who  was 
mortally  wounded  at  Alexandria.  The  only  account  we  have 
seen  of  the  personage  referred  to  here,  is  in  the  late  American 
edition  of  Lempriere's  Universal  Biography.  Mrs.  Grant,  in  her 
Memoirs,  alludes  to  him  very  favorably. 


16  KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMIXISCENCES. 

ordered  to  return  to  the  city.  I  have  already  men- 
tioned that  my  father's  horses,  like  the  rest,  had 
been  turned  out  to  forage  for  themselves  —  regular 
supplies  of  hay  and  grain  were  out  of  the  question. 
It  was,  as  may  be  presumed,  no  easy  matter  to  find 
them  again.  Some  of  them  indeed  were  never 
found,  while  others  were  discovered  at  a  distance 
of  many  mil  es  on  their  way  homewards.  This  gives 
a  slight  idea  of  the  confusion  attending  the  move- 
ments of  armies  on  similar  occasions. 

The  main  body  of  wagoners  returned  by  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  but  my  father  and  his  friends 
kept  on  the  east  side,  and  when  they  reached  the 
Batten  kil,  which  empties  into  it,  they  discovered, 
on  crossing  the  bed  of  the  creek,  the  wet  print  of 
a  mocasin  upon  one  of  the  rocks.  They  were  con- 
fident from  this  circumstance  that  hostile  Indians 
were  near  them,  and  that  one  must  have  passed 
that  way  but  a  few  minutes  before.  To  go  back 
seemed  as  dangerous  as  to  go  forward.  They  there- 
fore pushed  on  towards  the  river,  but  had  scarcely 
reached  its  bank  when  the  distinct  report  of  a 
musket  in  their  rear  brought  with  it  the  confirma- 
tion of  their  danger. 

I  should  have  mentioned,  however,  that  a  small 
escort  was  marching  down  the  west  side  of  the 
river  opposite,  to  protect  the  wagoners  that  had  gone 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  17 

home  in  that  direction.  When  this  firing  was  heard, 
therefore,  a  detachment  immediately  came  across 
to  ascertain  the  cause.  They  were  not  unsuccessful. 
In  a  garden  belonging  to  a  Mr.  De  Ruyter  the  body 
of  a  dead  man  was  found,  which  was  still  warm. 
His  scalp  had  been  taken  off,  and,  from  appearances, 
he  seemed  to  have  been  shot  while  in  the  act  of 
stooping  to  weed  ono  of  the  beds.  This  established 
the  alarming  fact,  that  the  savages  in  alliance  with 
the  French  had  boldly  extended  their  incursions 
within  the  line  of  the  English  posts. 

It  was  the  fashion  in  those  days,  as  it  has  been 
since,  to  make  as  much  money  as  possible  out  of 
the  public.  My  father  related  one  incident  which, 
though  trifling  in  itself,  elucidates  my  meaning. 
One  Dirk  Van  J — e,  who  had  accompanied  the 
army  to  Lake  George,  after  turning  out  his  horses, 
pretended  that  they  were  lost,  and  went  off  ostensi- 
bly to  look  for  them.  Instead  of  doing  this  he 
secretly  departed  for  Schoharie,  where  he  lived,  and 
when  the  time  was  nearly  out  for  which  he  engaged 
himself,  he  returned  to  head  quarters  without  being 
suspected,  and  received  the  full  amount  of  his 
stipulated  wages.  The  wagoners  were  usually 
very  indifferent  to  the  fate  of  their  horses,  particu- 
larly if  they  were  not  of  the  best  kind.  The 

government  paid  very  well  for  losses  of  this  sort, 
3 


18  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

although  the  colonial  assembly  was  far  from  follow- 
ing the  example,  in  cases  where  they  had  raised 
levies,  or  received  the  assistance  of  laborers  or 
farmers,  by  virtue  of  the  government  press  war- 
rants. If  a  horse  was  found  with  his  throat  cut  or 
his  skull  cloven  by  the  tomahawk,  the  owners  with 
great  philosophy  received  the  compensation  pro- 
vided for  such  casualties,  and  went  home  quite 
reconciled  to  their  misfortune.  An  amusing  in  stance 
of  their  general  dislike  to  the  service  was  observed 
when  Col.  Bradstreet  mustered  the  wagoners  on 
their  return  from  the  lake.  He  thanked  them  for 
their  fidelity  and  services,  and  gave  them  notice  he 
should  want  their  further  aid  in  forwarding  troops 
to  the  Mohawk  river,  on  their  way  to  Fort  Stanwix. 
An  expedition  against  Oswego  being  contemplated, 
the  hint  was  not  lost  upon  those  interested.  The 
principal  part  of  them  drove  their  wagons  into  the 
pine  bush  behind  the  fort,  unharnessed  their  horses, 
and  rode  off  in  the  night  to  their  respective 
homes.  The  discovery  was  not  made  until  the 
ensuing  morning,  and  it  so  effectually  disconcerted 
the  colonel  that  he  discharged  the  few  who  remained 
without  any  ceremony. 

My  father  returned  home,  and  saw  nothing  fur- 
ther, which  I  recollect  to  have  heard  him  speak  of, 
until  the  following  year,  when  he  was  called  into 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  19 

service  as  a  militiaman,  and  proceeded  as  far  west 
as  Fort  Stanwix.  The  losses  of  the  English  had  so 
animated  the  enemy  as  to  bring  them  into  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Mohawk  country.  On  his  re- 
turn home  the  party  with  which  he  was  descending 
the  river  was  fired  upon  by  the  Indians,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Fort  Plain.  Fortunately  for  the 
attacked,  it  was  a  wet  day,  and  the  savages  had 
great  difficulty  in  discharging  their  pieces.  The 
bateaumen  were  not  slow  in  perceiving  this,  and 
with  redoubled  efforts  soon  pulled  away  out  of  reach 
of  their  fire.  The  subsequent  successes  of  Sir  Jef- 
frey Amherst  relieved  the  inhabitants  of  the  pro- 
vince from  further  inquietude.  My  father,  to  better 
his  situation,  removed  to  the  neighborhood  of  Sara- 
toga, and  there  he  remained  pursuing  his  agricul- 
tural avocations  for  several  years,  until  the  approach 
of  more  troublesome  times. 


[20] 


CHAPTER  IV. 

J.HE  first  intelligence  which  gave  alarm  to  our 
neighborhood,  and  indicated  the  breaking  asunder 
of  the  ties  which  bound  the  colonies  to  the  mother 
country,  reached  us  on  a  Sunday  morning.  We  at: 
tended  at  divine  service  that  day  at  Schuyler's  Flats. 
I  well  remember,  notwithstanding  my  youth,  the 
impressive  manner  with  which,  in  my  hearing,  my 
father  told  my  uncle,  that  BLOOD  had  been  SHED  at 
Lexington.  The  startling  intelligence  spread  like 
fire  among  the  congregation.  The  preacher  was 
listened  to  with  very  little  attention.  After  the 
morning  discourse  was  finished,  and  the  people  were 
dismissed,  we  gathered  about  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler 
for  further  information.  He  was  the  oracle  of  our 
neighborhood.  We  looked  up  to  him  with  a  feel- 
ing of  respect  and  afifection.  His  popularity  was 
unbounded;  his  views  upon  all  subjects  were  consid- 
ered sound,  and  his  anticipations  almost  prophetic. 
On  this  occasion  he  confirmed  the  intelligence 
already  received,  and  expressed  his  belief  that  an 
important  crisis  had  arrived  which  must  sever  us 
forever  from  the  parent  country. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  21 

I  remember  afterwards  hearing  my  father  remark, 
that  among  the  most  influential  and  the  best  edu- 
cated part  of  the  community  great  anxiety  was  felt  as 
to  the  termination  of  the  struggle,  for  a  conviction 
seemed  to  prevail,  that  we  were  unable  to  sustain 
ourselves  against  the  armies  and  navies  of  England, 
if  brought  to  bear  together  and  with  promptness. 
I  have  also  heard,  that  among  the  unenlightened 
and  uneducated  portion  of  the  public,  an  undoubted 
apathy  in  relation  to  the  contest  prevailed. 

The  most  common  topics  of  complaint  were,  that 
the  colonies  were  taxed  as  well  beyond  the  neces- 
sity of  the  times,  as  their  ability  to  pay,  and  the 
belief  that  individuals  might  be  carried  to  England 
to  be  tried  for  criminal  offences,  although  it  was  not 
attended,  generally,  by  the  fear  of  any  such  occur- 
rence. Very  soon,  however,  the  militia  began  to 
organize  in  every  part  of  the  country.  Our  own 
neighborhood,  like  others,  was  divided  into  dis- 
tricts, and  these  into  beats  of  companies,  and  though 
we  did  not  see  any  of  the  display,  we  saw  much  of 
the  inconvenience  of  war.  The  people  of  our 
vicinity  assembled  together  at  Batten  kil,  and  as 
the  companies  chose  their  own  officers,  it  so  hap- 
pened that  a  Mr.  T  —  t  and  my  father  were  re- 
spectively named  by  their  friends  for  the  office  of 
captain.  The  latter  was  elected  almost  unanimously, 


22  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

but  he  modestly  declined  the  appointment,  alleging 
his  want  of  education  and  experience  for  a  station 
involving  so  much  responsibility.  He  proposed  a 
Mr.  Lake,  as  every  way  fit  for  the  station  ;  and  as 
he  possessed  one  great  advantage  over  Mr.  T.,  in 
being  entirely  free  from  all  suspicion  of  being 
disaffected,  he  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  Mr. 
Lake  had  also  great  resolution  and  presence  of 
mind,  and  was  a  man  of  unspotted  character.  The 
militia  being  in  some  measure  organized,  began  to 
be  exercised  in  the  use  of  arms,  and  those  persons 
who  had  seen  service  in  the  French  war  were 
particularly  engaged  in  giving  instruction  and 
advice.  The  drum  and  fife  resounded  on  all  sides, 
and  persons  of  reflection  began  to  consider  the 
consequences  that  would  follow  an  appeal  to  arms. 


[23] 


CHAPTER  V. 

_L  HE  blood  shed  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston, 
which  in  those  days  seemed  to  be  the  centre  of 
motion,  and  conferred  its  name  on  every  thing  con- 
nected with  our  colonial  resistance,  gave  a  new 
impulse  to  our  cause.  Arnold,  who  commenced 
his  career  as  a  captain  of  a  volunteer  company  in 
New  Haven,  proposed  to  the  Massachusetts  com- 
mittee of  safety  to  proceed  and  capture  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point.  His  offer  was  accepted,  and 
success  crowned  his  efforts.  During  the  French 
wars  Crown  Point  or  Fort  St.  Frederick  was 
considered  the  most  formidable  post —  during  the 
revolution  Ticonderoga  was  the  most  so.  Crown 
Point  has  been  so  often  described  by  modern  tour- 
ists, that  it  would  be  quite  useless  in  me  to  attempt 
a  description,  and  yet  I  may  say  that  there  are  some 

peculiarities  about  its  former  appearance,  not  so 

I 

generally  known.  It  was  a  very  strong  fort,  built 
of  stone,  with  four  bastions,  a  dry  ditch,  and  a  cov- 
ered way  to  the  lake.  In  the  north-west  corner  of 
the  fort  stood  the  citadel,  also  built  of  stone,  and 
in  shape  an  octagon,  four  stories  in  height.  This 
was  erected  on  arches,  and  was  mounted  with  20 


24  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

pieces  of  cannon.  Around  this  was  also  a  dry  ditch, 
and  the  entrance  was  secured  by  a  draw  bridge. 
Its  walls  were  ten  feet  thick,  and  the  roof  was 
shingled.  The  fort  also  contained  a  chapel,  and 
several  wooden  buildings.  In  1755  the  French 
had  put  it  in  complete  repair.  In  1775  it  was  quite 
defenceless,  and  was  supplied  with  but  one  sergeant 
and  twelve  men,  and  easily  fell  before  the  enter- 
prise of  Colonel  Warner,  the  comrade  of  Arnold. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  my  father  went  up  to  the 
north  f6r  some  loading,  consisting  of  the  spoils  of 
the  enemy,  taken  by  these  gallant  officers.  He 
took  me  with  him,  and  he  drove  one  wagon,  while 
I  had  charge  of  the  other.  On  our  return  a  French- 
man and  two  Indians  were  placed  under  our  care. 
They  had  been  taken  prisoners,  and  for  some  purpose 
or  other  were  sent  down  to  Albany.  The  Indians 
were  very  sulky.  They  did  not  or  could  not  speak 
the  English  language,  and  appeared  unwilling  to 
make  the  attempt.  The  Frenchman  claims  a  place 
in  my  memory,  from  being  one  of  the  lowest  class 
of  habitans,  as  well  as  the  filthiest.  At  a  place  now 
called  Washington  we  lodged  on  our  way  down, 
and  the  Frenchman  soon  fell  asleep  before  the  fire. 
In  the  progress  of  his  "nid,  nid,  nodding,"  his  hat 
fell  oft'  and  displayed  to  our  view  countless  myriads 
of  nameless  animals.  The  Indians  seemed  as  much 


REVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.  25 

astonished  as  ourselves,  and  broke  into  loud  grunt- 
ings  at  the  disgusting  sight.  I  mention  the  circum- 
stance chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  stating,  that  sava- 
ges are  in  this  particular  very  cleanly,  and  to  show 
that  the  extremes  of  civilization  and  barbarism  very 
often  meet.  The  inn-keeper  vented  his  undisguised 
rage  at  the  Canadian,  and  told  him  with  many  impre- 
cations that  it  was  lucky  for  him  he  was  a  prisoner. 

Our  loading  consisted  of  British  military  camp 
equipage,  pans,  flints,  and  other  articles,  which,  to- 
gether with  the  post  from  which  they  came,  had  been 
captured  in  behalf  of  the  "  Lord  and  the  continental 
congress." 

The  weather  was  cold  and  disagreeable,  the  roada 
were  bad,  and  the  whole  business  to  me  vexatious. 
A  luckless  urchin  I  considered  myself,  to  be  thus 
perched  on  top  of  a  wagon,  jolted  to  death,  with 
the  air  penetrating  to  my  very  vitals.  Yet  we  tra- 
veled at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  a  day,  and  after 
bestowing  our  cargo  at  Albany,  we  turned  our  faces 
towards  Saratoga  and  our  own  firesides.  Ere  we 
arrived  a  snow  storm  commenced,  and  covered  the 
ground  to  the  depth  of  several  inches. 

I  had  forgotten  to  mention  that  a  small  detach- 
ment of  continentals  accompanied  us  down  from 
Fort  George,  a  post  which  was  designed  by  Col. 

Montresor,  and  called  his  Folly.     I  shall  not  in  this 
4 


26  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

place  describe  it;  but  of  the  garrison,  of  which  this 
detachment  had  been  a  part,  I  would  mention  that 
they  were  downright  oddities.     Their  blue   coats 
with  white  facings  were  tarnished  by  the  smoke  of 
the  pine  knots,  which  it  was  the  fashion  in  Fort 
George  to  use  in  the  double  capacity  of  fire  and 
candle.     A  more  sombre  family  I  think  I  never  saw. 
We  were  not,  however,  permitted  to  enjoy  our 
homes.     My  father  having  a  good  share  of  the  pat- 
ronage, as  well  as  confidence  of  the  leading  men  in 
our  neighborhood,  with  a  snug  property  of  his  own 
and  a  good  number  of  horses,  was  very  much  in  de- 
mand when  any  urgent  and  rapid  movement  of  stores 
and  supplies  was  to  be  effected.     The  cannon  cap- 
tured from  the  enemy  were  next  to  be  brought  down 
from  the  north,  and  as  many  as  one  hundred  and 
twenty,  besides  howitzers  and  swivels,  had  fallen 
into   our   hands   with  the   two   fortresses   before 
mentioned.     They  had  been  in  part  removed  to  the 
head  of  Lake  George,  and  thither  we  were  directed 
to  proceed  for  them.     Col.  Knox,  afterwards  the  able 
chief  of  our  artillery,  undertook  to  superintend  their 
removal  in  person.     He  had  very  heavy  sleds  pre- 
pared for  the  occasion,  and  a  numerous  train  set  out 
from  our  neighborhood  to  bring  down  the  cannon. 
"We  reached  Glen's  Falls  the  first  night,  even  then 
celebrated  as  an  object  of  curiosity. 


[27] 


CHAPTER  VI. 

before  daylight  we  were  on  the  move.  I 
had  trouble  of  managing  an  extra  pair  of  horses. 
We  had  taken  on  many  more  than  the  usual  num- 
ber in  consequence  of  the  service  in  which  we  were 
engaged.  My  father  was  some  distance  in  the  rear, 
while  by  accident  I  was  considerably  in  advance 
of  him.  The  road  was  dreary,  the  darkness  great, 
and  I  anything  but  comfortable  during  the  morn- 
ing drive.  We  were  approaching  the  bloody  pond 
and  the  scene  of  some  terrible  slaughters.  My 
imagination  peopled  every  bush  with  ghosts.  In 
this  pond  hundreds  of  those  slain  in  the  battles 
between  Sir  William  Johnson  and  the  French 
Baron  Dieskau  were  carelessly  thrown,  the  hurry 
and  distress  of  the  hour  permitting  no  other  re- 
ceptacle for  the  dead.  My  nervous  excitement 
increased  every  instant.  I  anxiously  turned  my 
ear  to  listen  to  the  sounds  of  the  voices  behind 
me,  which  came  along  in  melancholy  intervals,  and 
would  then  be  lost  for  apparently  an  interminable 
period.  While  I  was  thus  in  spite  of  myself  giving 
way  to  the  most  unpleasant  feelings,  my  leading 
horses,  which  had  been  jogging  along  on  a  pace 


28  BEVOLUTIONARY  BEMINISCENCES. 

quite  inconsistent  with  my  views  of  propriety,  made 
a  sudden  halt  and  fell  back  upon  the  pair  next  the 
sled.  This  sudden  stop  only  increased  my  confu- 
sion. I  could  not  help  thinking  that  the  animals 
saw  something  which  I  could  not.  I  remembered 
an  old  superstition  that  dogs  can  see  ghosts,  and  I 
now  fancied  that  horses  might  have  the  same  facility. 
I  did  not,  however,  forget  myself.  I  made  a  most 
rapid  and  liberal  use  of  my  whip,  when,  with  first  a 
recoil,  then  a  plunge  and  a  desperate  scramble,  the 
horses  leaped  over  something  which  seemed  to  be  in 
their  way,  and  went  on  at  full  gallop  for  some  dis- 
tance. I  at  length  succeeded  in  arresting  their  flight 
and  began  to  bawl  lustily  to  those  who  were  far 
away  in  the  rear.  After  making  the  woods  resound 
with  my  halloos,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  a 
reply.  My  father  came  swiftly  up,  when  I  informed 
him  of  what  had  occurred.  A  diligent  search  was 
then  made  along  the  roads  by  the  persons  in  our 
company.  "What  should  the  cause  of  my  anxiety 
prove  to  be,  but  a  drunken  soldier,  who  had,  in 
some  unaccountable  way,  fallen  asleep  on  the  road, 
overcome  by  fatigue  and  intoxication.  We  disco- 
vered no  very  great  injury  on  his  person,  and  we 
carried  him  with  us  to  Fort  George,  where  he  was 
taken  care  of  by  his  comrades.  From  that  time  I 
never  saw  him  more. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  29 

This  occurrence  drew  forth  several  interesting  an- 
ecdotes, in  relation  to  the  conflicts  which  had  taken 
place  in  the  neighborhood,  and  as  I  have  not  seen 
them  in  any  of  our  histories,  I  will  venture  to  give 
them  a  place,  with  the  remark  that  they  were  re- 
ceived as  authentic  at  the  time. 

Dieskau  was  rather  an  old  man ;  he  was  wounded 
in  his  legs  and  both  his  hips.  He  was  brought  to  Sir 
"William  Johnson's  tent  at  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  just  at  the  moment  as  that  officer  had  his 
wound  dressed,  caused  by  a  bullet  lodged  in  his 
thigh. 

The  French  commander,  it  was  said,  brought  his 
troops  up  in  a  very  imposing  manner,  with  bayonets 
fixed  and  glittering,  and  continued  the  engagement 
with  a  firmness  that  made  Sir  Willam's  troops  often 
waver.  But  a  very  expert  gunner,  Mr.  Boyle,  threw 
some  shell  and  32  Ib.  shot  among  the  Frenchmen, 
which  made  them  at  length  give  way.  This  retriev- 
ed the  fortunes  of  the  day.  The  Mohawk  Indians 
lost  their  great  chief,  King  Hendrik,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  day,  and  took  an  unusual  number  of  scalps 
in  consequence  —  eighty  were  brought  in  after  the 
engagement.  Hendrik  was  killed  in  the  first  of  the 
conflicts,  and  when  his  son  was  informed  of  his 
being  slain  he  gave  a  loud  groan,  and  then  placing 
his  hand  on  his  heart  exclaimed,  Ah,  ha !  Hendrik 


30  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

alive  here  yet  I  A  report  prevailed  very  currently 
among  the  provincials  that  the  French  soldiers 
chewed  the  balls  which  they  used  on  this  occasion, 
because  when  extracted  they  had  a  green  color,  and 
were  very  ragged.  Baron  Dieskau,  on  being, told 
of  this,  said  that  if  such  was  the  case  it  was  entirely 
without  his  knowledge,  and  that  he  was  sure  none 
of  the  veterans  he  had  brought  with  him  from 
Europe  would  be  guilty  of  conduct  so  unsoldierlike. 
This  person  recovered  partially  of  his  wounds,  was 
taken  to  England,  and  there  died. 

Our  business,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  was 
to  transport  the  captured  artillery.  It  was  a  sea- 
sonable supply,  and  we  felt  an  unusual  degree  of 
interest  in  fulfilling  our  contracts.  The  pieces 
were  apportioned  to  our  respective  companies. 
My  father  took  in  charge  a  heavy  iron  nine  pounder, 
which  required  the  united  efforts  of  four  horses  to 
drag  it  along.  Others  had  the  heavy  resistance  of 
18s  and  24s  to  overcome,  which  required  the  exer- 
tions of  at  least  eight  horses.  "We  had  altogether 
about  forty  or  fifty  pieces  to  transport,  and  our 
cavalcade  was  quite  imposing.  "We  traveled  back 
towards  Albany  without  accident,  until  we  reached 
Lansing's  ferry,  on  the  Hudson.  As  the  ice  was 
not  uncommonly  strong  some  precautions  were 
taken  to  get  across  with  safety.  The  method 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  31 

adopted  was  this  :  A  rope  forty  feet  long  was  fast- 
ened to  the  tongue  of  the  sleigh,  and  the  other  end 
was  attached  to  the  horses.  The  first  gun  was 
started  across  in  this  way,  and  my  father  walked 
along  aside  the  horses  with  a  sharp  hatchet  in  his 
hand,  to  cut  the  rope,  if  the  cannon  and  sled  should 
break  through.  In  the  centre  of  the  river  the  ice 
gave  way,  as  had  been  feared,  and  a  noble  18  sank 
with  a  crackling  noise,  and  then  a  heavy  plunge  to 
the  bottom  of  the  stream.  With  a  desperate  hope 
of  overcoming  its  downward  tendency,  and  just  as 
the  cracking  of  the  ice  gave  the  alarm,  the  horses 
were  whipped  up  into  a  full  jump,  but  to  no  pur- 
pose. 

The  gun  sank,  fortunately,  not  in  very  deep 
water.  The  horses  kept  their  feet,  and  the  rope 
was  used  to  secure  a  buoy  over  the  place  where  the 
cannon  was  lying,  and  afterwards  materially  aided 
its  recovery.  In  this  dilemma  we  had  no  alterna- 
tive but  to  abandon  the  idea  of  getting  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson.  It  began  to  rain,  the  weather 
was  changing,  and  we  were  forced  to  retrace  our 
steps  in  some  measure,  and  seek  a  passage  across 
the  Mohawk.  We  reached  the  ferry  of  Mr.  Glaus 
the  same  day,  and  crossed  in  safety.  The  next  day 
we  entered  Albany.  Our  appearance  excited  the 
attention  of  the  burghers.  They  were  accustomed, 


32  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

it  is  true,  to  seeing  fine  artillery,  as  some  well 
appointed  armies  had  been  encamped  within  the 
city.  But  this  was  the  first  artillery  which  con- 
gress had  been  able  to  call  their  own,  and  it  led  to 
reflections  not  in  the  least  injurious  to  our  cause. 


[33] 


CHAPTER  VH. 

JL  HE  weather  now  became  colder,  and  we  crossed 
at  the  south  ferry,  without  difficulty,  or  even  appre- 
hension. Some  of  the  party  here  bought  out, 
from  some  of  their  friends,  the  right,  as  they  termed 
it,  of  carrying  over  the  eighteen  pounders,  and  it  was 
considered  a  good  speculation.  We  received  for 
drawing  such,  one  and  four  pence  a  mile,  and  when 
we  were  detained  by  breakages  or  other  accidents, 
and  laid  by  for  repair,  we  received  15  shillings  a 
day.  As  we  reached  the  shore  at  Greenbush,  a 
tongue  of  one  of  the  sleds,  which  was  loaded  with 
a  smaller  gun,  struck  and  perforated  the  side  of  a 
very  handsome  pleasure  boat,  and  made  a  breach 
in  it  of  rather  a  ruinous  character.  The  driver 
seemed  to  have  no  alternatfve  but  to  keep  moving; 
he  drove  fairly  over  it,  and  the  boat  was  made  a 
complete  wreck.  The  idea  that  congress  would 
pay  all  damages  was  the  only  sympathy  that  we 
had  then  time  to  bestow  on  the  owner.  "Whether 
congress  responded  to  the  sentiments  of  our  corps 
we  never  learned.  We  made  the  best  of  our  way 
to  Claverack,  and  there  the  breaking  down  of  a 

sleigh  detained  us  two  whole  days.    The  depend- 
5 


34  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

ence  we  were  under  to  each  other  for  assistance, 
in  case  of  accident,  made  it  neccessary  for  us  to 
move  in  a  body.  "We  then  reached  Westfield,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  were  much  amused  with  what 
seemed  the  quaintness  and  honest  simplicity  of  the 
people.  Our  armament  here  was  a  great  curiosity. 
We  found  that  very  few,  even  among  the  oldest 
inhabitants,  had  ever  seen  a  cannon.  They  were 
never  tired  of  examining  our  desperate  "big  shoot- 
ing irons,"  and  guessing  how  many  tons  they 
weighed ;  others  of  the  scientific  order  were  mea- 
suring the  dimensions  of  their  muzzles,  and  the 
circumference  at  the  breech.  The  handles,  as  they 
styled  the  trunnions,  were  reckoned  rather  too  short, 
but  they  considered,  on  the  whole,  that  the  guns 
must  be  pretty  nice  things  at  a  long  shot.  "We 
were  great  gamers  by  this  curiosity,  for  while  they 
were  employed  in  remarking  upon  our  guns, 
we  were,  with  equal  pleasure,  discussing  the  quali- 
ties of  their  cider  and  whiskey.  These  were 
generously  brought  out  in  great  profusion,  saying 
they  would  be  darned  if  it  was  not  their  treat.  One 
old  mortar,  well  known  during  the  revolution  as 
the  old  sow,  and  which  not  many  years  since  was 
the  subject  of  eulogy  on  the  floor  of  our  own 
legislature,  by  no  less  a  personage  than  Gen.  Root, 
was  actually  fired  several  times  by  the  people  of 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  35 

Weatfield,  for  the  novel  pleasure  of  listening  to  its 
deep  toned  thunders.  Col.  Knox  was  surrounded 
by  visitors  at  the  inn  that  evening.  And  the  in- 
troductions that  took  place,  gave  to  his  acquaintance 
hosts  of  militia  officers  of  every  rank  and  degree. 
Every  man  seemed  to  be  an  officer.  What  a  pity, 
said  Colonel  Knox  to  some  of  us  who  stood  near 
him,  what  a  pity  it  is  that  our  soldiers  are  not  as 
numerous  as  our  officers.  But  the  happiness  of 
these  people  was  not  to  last  forever.  We  moved 
on  to  Springfield,  and  they  had  nothing  left  but 
the  remembrance  of  what  they  had  seen,  to  console 
them  for  our  departure. 

We  reached  Springfield  (the  great  place  of 
deposit  for  arms),  but  could  get  no  further.  The 
sleighing  failed,  and  we  had  to  leave  our  cannon 
lying  ingloriously  on  the  road  side,  in  the  mud.  I 
cannot  give  any  further  account  of  their  travels. 
I  believe  they  afterwards  were  not  without  effect 
in  various  bloody  fights,  and  from  having  been 
intended  by  their  first  owners  as  the  ultima  ratio 
regum,  they  settled  down  on  their  beds  the  plain 
and  forcible  advocates  of  the  doctrines  of  the  conti- 
nental congress.  We  returned  to  Albany  in  much 
quicker  time  than  it  took  us  to  get  to  Springfield. 
Here  our  services  were  again  imperiously  required 
by  the  exigency  of  our  northern  affairs.  Supplies 


36  BEVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES. 

were  wanted  at  our  northern  posts,  and  among 
them  strong  waters  were  not  an  inconsiderable 
item.  Happy  would  it  be  for  the  world  if  the  use 
did  not  lead  to  the  abuse,  and  the  remedy  for  human 
suffering  became  not  worse  than  the  disease.  At 
that  time,  however,  I  was  any  thing  but  a  contem- 
plator  of  human  affairs  in  the  abstract,  and  I  was 
soon  seen  with  a  heavy  load  of  the  bane  of  human 
kind,  following  in  the  train  as  unconcerned  as  any 
other  of  my  companions.  We  now  took  the  road 
to  Montreal.  On  our  way  up  we  availed  ourselves 
of  every  opportunity  to  travel  on  the  ice.  "We 
arrived  at  Fort  George  (February,  1776),  and 
crossed  the  lake,  once  so  celebrated  as  Lake  St. 
Sacrament  by  Canadian  devotees.  Its  crystal 
drops  were  thought  so  pure  as  to  be  eagerly  sent 
for  by  the  priests,  to  be  used  as  holy  water,  and  to 
fill  the  founts  employed  in  their  offices  of  the 
sacrament  of  baptism.  "We  arrived  at  Ticonderoga, 
which  presented  but  a  sorry  sight ;  the  glories  of 
Ti  were  rather  on  the  wane ;  the  fortune  of  war 
and  a  change  of  masters  had  not  in  the  least  bene- 
fitted  its  military  appearance.  Its  ditches  were 
nearly  filled  with  rubbish,  and  its  ramparts  were 
dismantled  and  ruinous.  It  was  here  I  heard  of 
the  circumstance  never  yet  explained  by  any  of 
the  numerous  journalists  and  historians  who  have 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  37 

filled  their  pages  with  its  eventful  story.  I  allude 
to  a  plate  of  copper  or  brass,  which  was  found 
here  on  the  capture  of  this  post,  and  was  inscribed 
with  these  words:  "Pone  Prindpes  Eorum  Sicut 
Oreb  et  Zeb,  Zeba  et  Zalmanna."  The  expression  itself 
is  taken  from  the  Psalms  of  David ;  but,  to  whom 
it  was  meant  to  apply,  or  what  precise  import  was 
intended  to  be  conveyed  by  it,  is  a  question  yet  to 
be  answered.  From  Ti  we  proceeded  northwardly 
on  the  ice.  Sixty-two  sleighs  on  this  occasion 
were  under  the  care  of  my  father,  and  he  pushed 
forward  with  great  diligence.  We  considered  the 
events  of  the  approaching  campaign  as  probably 
depending  upon  our  individual  efforts.  Montreal 
was  in  our  possession,  Quebec  closely  besieged,  and 
we  were  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  doing 
every  thing  in  our  power  to  keep  them  in  supplies. 
On  our  way  up  we  passed  an  island  called  Schuy- 
ler's  Island.  It  was  what  in  modern  times  would 
have  been  called  our  bivouac.  Our  sleighs  were 
all  driven  together  in  a  row.  Our  horses  were 
rubbed,  fed  and  blanketed,  and  tied  to  the  sleighs. 
We  were  divided  into  messes  of  six  men  each,  and 
went  to  work  quite  systematically  to  secure  our- 
selves a  comfortable  night,  notwithstanding  the 
snow  was  three  and  a  half  feet  deep.  We  dug  it 
away  in  different  places  in  the  manner  of  the 


38  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

Esquimaux,  and  in  our  frozen  apartments  we 
likened  ourselves  to  lodgens  in  a  lower  story.  Some 
diligently  collected  fuel  for  the  fires,  and  others 
stripped  the  walnut  tree  of  its  bark,  which  to  the 
voyager  is  so  well  known  in  its  quick  kindling,  and 
for  its  resemblance  to  pitch  pine.  Our  bags,  con- 
taining the  oats  for  our  horses,  were  snugly  stowed 
around  our  sleeping  apartments,  which  were  also 
made  comfortable  by  a  well  replenished  fire.  After 
eating  a  hearty  supper,  which,  if  not  distinguished 
for  its  cookery,  was  well  relished  for  its  flavor, 
we  sank  on  our  beds,  and  soon  forgot  our  troubles 
and  our  toils.  Had  they  been  of  down  we  could 
not  have  slept  more  sweetly  and  refreshingly  —  so 
strangely  do  circumstances  control  our  feelings 
and  moderate  our  desires. 


[39] 


CHAPTER  VDI. 

W  E  continued  our  journey  without  any  very 
striking  incidents,  but  were  glad  to  pass  the  next 
night  under  a  comfortable  roof,  instead  of  the 
canopy  of  the  skies.  In  the  course  of  the  next  day 
several  of  our  sleighs  fell  through  the  ice,  but  they 
were  recovered  without  loss  to  their  owners.  Our 
rendezvous  was  the  next  night  at  La  Cole  river, 
the  banks  of  which  have  witnessed  the  pertinacity 
of  a  certain  stone  mill,  in  later  times.  We  had 
scarcely  made  ourselves  snug  in  our  quarters 
before  a  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  troops  overtook 
us,  having  traveled  in  sleighs.  Our  track  in  the 
snow  facilitated  their  progress.  They  were  a  long 
desired  reinforcement,  with  which  it  was  expected 
to  carry  Quebec.  It  was  my  opinion  at  the  time, 
which  was  afterwards  justified  by  the  result,  that 
Quebec  was  not  to  be  taken  by  such  troops.  They 
were  the  most  quarrelsome,  and  I  regret  to  say, 
profligate  set  of  men  I  had  ever  seen  together. 
They  had  plenty  of  money  with  them  and  spent  it 
profusely.  The  vices  of  insubordination,  gamb- 
ling and  rioting,  marked  their  battalia,  and  we 
ourselves  had  great  trouble  with  them,  notwith- 


40  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

standing  our  pacific  character.  It  was  not  surprising 
that  their  subsequent  behavior  in  Lower  Canada 
produced  disaffection  among  the  very  inhabitants, 
on  whose  friendship  our  success  was  chiefly  to 
depend.  Indeed,  it  is  recorded  by  all  the  histories 
of  that  campaign,  that  after  the  death  of  Mont- 
gomery the  conduct  of  our  troops  was  absolutely 
shocking.  If  they  purchased  any  thing  they  paid 
in  certificates,  which  the  quarter  master  general 
rejected  for  informality,  often  indeed  for  the  want 
of  a  signature.  The  houses  of  the  country  people 
were  plundered,  their  religion  was  abused.  The 
inhabitants  were  fired  at  as  they  went  to  mass.  The 
priests  themselves  were  robbed,  and  outrages  of 
every  description  were  committed.  In  this  way 
even  the  best  friends  of  congress  were  discouraged, 
and  it  actually  became  necessary  for  that  body  to 
pass  a  resolution  in  April  of  that  year,  ordering  our 
commissioners  to  cause  justice  to  be  done  them, 
and  to  inflict  exemplary  punishment  on  those  who 
violated  their  military  regulations. 

But  it  is  a  further  fact,  that  even  this  resolution 
was  without  its  effect,  notwithstanding  the  exertions 
of  that  amiable  man,  Gen.  Thomas,  the  American 
commander,  who  afterwards  died  of  the  small  pox 
while  on  his  return  from  Quebec.  It  is  also  a  mat- 
ter of  fact,  that  the  notorious  Arnold,  whose  gallant 


KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.  41 

conduct  in  arms  seemed  to  be  clouded  by  a  dispo- 
sition which  partook  as  well  of  the  love  of  plunder 
as  the  love  of  glory,  carried  away  with  him  from 
Montreal  a  large  quantity  of  goods,  taken  from  the 
very  people  that  congress  had  made  a  show  of 
protecting.  When  he  ordered  Colonel  Hazen  to 
take  charge  of  them  on  crossing  the  river  he  met 
with  a  decided  refusal  and  an  expression  of  disap- 
probation. "When  General  Arnold  reached  Crown 
Point,  and  found  some  of  his  plunder  missing,  he 
was  followed  by  the  owners  with  their  accounts, 
who  demanded  payment.  Arnold  vented  his  rage 
on  Col.  Hazen,  by  having  him  brought  before  a 
court  martial  for  his  neglect  of  the  goods.  Col.  H. 
was  of  course  honorably  acquitted,  while  Gen.  A. 
was  personally  so  disrespectful  to  the  court,  chal- 
lenging the  members  to  fight  him,  and  abusing 
them  without  any  justice,  that  they  demanded  his 
arrest,  and  nothing  but  the  extreme  necessity  which 
existed  of  employing  his  talents  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain  at  that  time  prevented  his  disgrace  and  ruin. 
Gen.  Gates  dissolved  the  court  martial,  and  Arnold 
was  made  a  commander  pro  tempore.  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  state,  that  Colonel  Hazen,  as  it 
is  said,  was  originally  an  officer  in  the  British 
army,  a  captain  of  rangers  under  Wolfe,  and  a 

favorite  officer  of  that  general.     He  raised  a  regi- 
6 


42  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

ment  principally  of  Canadians,  and  was  an  active 
and  useful  commander.  His  widow,  Madame  Hazen, 
a  French  woman,  died  a  few  years  since  in  the  city 
of  Albany,  where  fhe  had  lived  for  many  years  in 
great  privacy.  But  to  return  to  my  narrative  ;  we 
preceded  these  turbulent  Pennsylvanians  in  order  to 
keep  out  of  their  way,  traveling  late  and  early.  We 
next  reached  St.  Johns,  and  passed  a  night  within 
the  fort.  My  curiosity  being  roused,  I  hastened  to 
examine  the  works  considered  almost  impregnable, 
until  General  Montgomery  captured  them,  about 
five  months  previous.  He  had  actually  expended 
all  his  ammunition  before  it,  without  making  any 
impression.  And  the  result  would  have  been  very 
dubious,  had  not  the  capture  of  the  fort  at  Cham- 
blee  and  the  arrival  of  six  tons  of  excellent  powder 

• 

enabled  the  American,  general  to  push  his  attack 
with  increased  hopes.  A  battery  within  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  yards  of  the  fort,  mounting  four 
guns  and  six  mortars,  was  erected  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  garrison.  The  failure  of  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  to  relieve  them,  the  pertinacity  of  the 
besiegers  and  the  shortness  of  the  provision  of  the 
besieged,  compelled  Major  Preston  to  surrender. 
An  original  note,  written  during  the  siege  by  the 
aid  of  General  Montgomery,  is  now  in  my  posses- 
sion, and  is  couched  in  the  following  language  : 


REVOLUTIONAKY  REMINISCENCES.  43 

"  The  enemy  having  discovered  our  north-west 
work,  are  firing  upon  it.  The  general  therefore, 
desires  you  will  order  the  gunners  at  the  east  bat- 
tery to  pay  attention  to  the  north-west  side  of  the 
fort.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN    M'PHERSON, 

Aid-de-Camp." 

Although  but  about  twelve  years  of  age,  I  have,  in 
relation  to  the  capture,  a  vivid  recollection  of  my 
inquiries  and  researches,  which,  coupled  with  the 
infomation  of  after  life,  has  made  an  indelible  im- 
pression on  my  memory.  Arrived  at  Laprairie,  we 
crossed  to  Montreal  on  the  ice,  and  the  crossing  was 
difficult  and  dangerous.  The  river  was  frozen  in 
huge  waves,  over  which  we  had  to  pitch  and  plunge 
along.  And  I  distinctly  remember,  the  story  which 
circulated  amongst  us  at  the  time  was,  that  there  was 
a  premium  of  fifty  pounds  given  by  the  government 
every  winter,  to  the  first  man  who  drove  over  the 
frozen  billows  to  Laprairie. 

*  My  recollections  of  Montreal  are  not  very  flatter- 
ing to  that  place,  and  although  I  have  visited  it  fre- 
quently since,  I  never  saw  any  thing  very  prepos- 
sessing in  its  narrow  streets  and  gloomy  houses. 
Our  supplies  were  deposited  in  a  store,  and  we 
remained  there  for  four  days,  during  which  time  I 
examined  every  part  of  the  town.  Very  few  of  our 


44  KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

troops  were  then  there,  and  the  inhabitants  disco- 
vered great  diversity  of  feeling  on  the  subject  of 
the  war.  The  most,  however,  were  friendly,  as  was 
afterwards  proved  by  their  kindness  and  hospitality 
to  those  poor  wretches  whom  the  small  pox  and 
other  diseases  forced  upon  their  charities,  during 
the  retreat  of  our  troops  from  Canada. 

Before  I  proceed  with  my  personal  narrative  I  may 
be  excused  for  referring  to  one  or  two  original  let- 
ters, now  before  me,  which  carry  back  the  mind  to 
the  scenes  of  other  days.  Colonel  Clinton,  after- 
wards well  known  in  our  revolution  as  a  gallant 
general  officer,  and  now  not  less  remembered  as  the 
father  of  the  illustriousDe  Witt  Clinton,  commanded 
a  battery  at  Point  Levi.  An  original  letter  from. 
General  Arnold  to  Colonel  Clinton,  now  before  me, 
contains  these  words : 

"  You  will  please  compleat  the  battery  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  when  it  is  done  to  heat  shot.  You 
will  begin  firing  on  the  town.  Begin  moderately 
until  you  have  the  distance  well.  Let  the  shot  be 
well  heated.  I  think  we  had  best  aim  at  the  town 
and  leave  the.  sniping  for  the  present.  With  your 
shot,  heave  now  and  then  a  shell. 

B.  ABNOLD." 
April  1,  1776. 


KEVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  45 

Colonel  Clinton  afterwards  commanded  at  Mont- 
real, and  besides  having  orders  to  destroy  the  towns 
if  the  enemy  approached,  and  the  inhabitants  were 
hostile,  had  also  instructions  from  Samuel  Chase 
and  Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrolton,  which  are  now 
before  me,  in  their  handwriting,  to  seize  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Montreal  as  hostages,  and  send  them  over 
to  Longueil  or  Laprairie. 

The  following  is  copied  verbatim,  from  the 
original,  written  by  a  Roman  catholic  priest  at 
Point  Levi,  during  the  siege  of  Quebec  : 

Domine  mi,  falsa  testimonia  contra  me  sunt  facia  sed 
parvi  refert.  Deus  scit  me  esse  innocentum.  Rogo  te 
ut  placeat  tibi  hanc  epistolam  mittere  statim  ad  Dominum 
Arnold  in  Castris.  Gratias  tibi  habebo.  Vale  Bene 
valeasque  doleo  propter  te  quia  sis  dtgrotus.  Semper  fai 
sincerus  et  mihi  non  videturjustumferre  judicium  contra 
me,  qua  tantum  parte  adversa  exaudita,  me  nen  audite 
ullo  modo. 

BERTHIAUME,  PRETRE. 


[46] 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Montreal,  where  the  French  language  or  a 
corruption  of  it  was  universally  spoken,  I  found 
myself  compelled  to  resort  to  the  universal  language 
of  signs.  By  these  and  the  shrugs,  which  are  as 
important  in  the  conversation  of  a  Frenchman  as 
his  words,  I  managed  to  make  myself  understood. 
Our  continental  money  required  a  good  deal  of  ges- 
ticulation to  make  it  go.  It  was  not  much  relished 
by  our  Canadian  friends,  at  its  par  value.  One  of 
my  amusements  was  to  play  tricks  upon  an  old 
market  woman,  who  retailed  articles  out  of  a  dog 
cart,  still  a  vehicle  in  great  repute  in  Canada.  Her 
shrill  voice,  and  exclamations  of  Vola  (voila)  mau- 
vay  (mauvais)  Bostony  !  still  haunt  my  memory.  I 
mention  this  to  confirm  the  statement  I  have  often 
since  read,  that  the  Americans  were  then  almost  uni- 
versally called  Bostonians  in  Europe  and  Canada,  and 
our  revolution,  now  the  theme  of  swelling  eulogy, 
was  then  known  as  the  "Bostonian  affair." 

Our  business  was  soon  dispatched,  and  we  turned 
our  faces  homewards.  On  our  return,  a  prisoner, 
Captain  Swan,  of  the  British  army,  and  an  Irish- 
man, was  permitted  to  go  home,  on  his  parole,  by 


KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.  47 

the  way  of  New  York.  "We  carried  him  with  us. 
He  was  a  fine  looking  man,  and  resembled  General 
Burgoyne.  He  had  been  made  a  prisoner  near  or  at 
Quebec.  An  arrangement  was  entered  into  for  his 
conveyance  as  far  as  Ponghkeepsie,  and  to  my 
father  was  committed  the  trust  of  conducting  him 
there  safely.  His  red  coat  and  laced  cocked  hat  became 
him,  but  his  manners  were  reserved  and  sour.  In- 
deed we  were  but  plain  people,  and  perhaps  it  was 
not  in  our  power  to  have  become  very  agreeable  to 
him,  so  we  did  not  attempt  any  thing  more  than  to 
make  him  comfortable.  He  had  his  son  with  him, 
a  pert,  mischievous  boy,  seven  or  eight  years  of  age, 
who  was  dressed  in  regimentals,  and  had  been  with 
him  jn  camp ;  a  servant  in  undress  completed  his 
suite.  This  latter  was  an  extravagant  talker  about 
the  country  he  had  left,  and  dear  Erin  was  the 
theme  of  his  unaffected  praise.  Horse  racing  was 
his  passion,  and  many  fine  stories  he  told  us  of  a 
celebrated  Irish  colt  called  the  Potheen  mare,  which 
outran  every  thing  in  the  world.  As  we  were 
crossing  Lake  George  we  met  further  reinforce- 
ments, going  on  to  Montreal.  I  saw  thirty  men 
traveling  in  one  sleigh.  Several  short  planks  were 
placed  across  the  sleigh,  and  on  them  the  men  stood 
up  to  catch  the  stiff  breeze  blowing  from  the  south. 
These  human  sails  carried  them  along  at  a  rapid 


48  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

rate,  and  the  horses,  so  far  from  feeling  the  weight 
behind  them,  were  going  at  some  speed  so  as  not 
to  be  run  upon  by  the  sleigh.  It  had  a  singular 
appearance,  but  was  not  without  merit  in  idea  and 
usefulness  in  its  effect.  Capt.  Swan  was  safely  taken 
to  Poughkeepsie,  and  my  father  returned  home, 
where  the  labors  of  his  farm  occupied  him  for  the 
remainder  of  the  year.  It  was  distinguished,  how- 
ever, .by  a  most  remarkable  event,  not  only  worthy 
of  individual  remembrance,  but  of  public  eulogy 
to  the  latest  times.  The  declaration  of  independ- 
ence—  the  declaration  that  we  were,  and  of  right 
ought  to  be,  free  and  independent,  was  published 
throughout  the  country  with  great  rejoicings.  It 
was  read  at  the  head  of  our  brigades,  and  in  this 
part  of  our  country  casks  of  liquor  were  opened, 
and  liberal  potations  were  made  to  the  "  honor  and 
glory"  of  the  continental  congress.  At  Stillwater 
a  large  collection  of  people  were  assembled,  as 
soon  as  the  news  arrived,  and  General  Schuyler 
among  the  number.  This  patriot  and  soldier,  by 
his  presence  and  exertions,  contributed  not  a  little 
to  keep  up  the  glow  which  was  necessary  to  add 
spirit  to  our  sentiments  and  boldness  to  our  actions. 
It  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  that  it  was  about 
this  time  that  General  Sullivan  passed  down  to 
Albany  from  the  north,  having  been  superseded  by 
General  Gates.  Our  army  there  had  suffered  much, 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  49 

and  we  daily  saw  its  remnants  on  their  way  home, 
worn  down  with  hardships,  if  not  disabled  by  dis- 
ease. The  general  hospital  was  at  Fort  George, 
and  upwards  of  three  hundred  invalids  had  from 
time  to  time  been  placed  there. 

In  the  fall  we  heard  of  the  great  fire  at  ISTew 
York,  but  we  did  not  regard  it  so  much  from  the 
reflection  that  the  enemy,  who  were  in  possession 
of  it,  would  be  the  chief  sufferers.  Our  time  had 
not  yet  come.  The  hardships  and  calamities  of 
war  were  not  yet  brought  to  our  own  homes  and 
firesides. 


[50] 


CHAPTER  X. 

JljARLY  in  the  year  1777  my  father  and  I  were 
again  in  active  employment.  Large  quantities  of 

^1 

provisions  had  been  accumulating  at  Benuington 
for  the  use  of  our  northern  armies,  and  the  New 
England  people  had  been  quite  industrious  in  fur- 
nishing their  quota  of  supplies.  It  was  their 
fashion  in  those  days  £o  use  oxen  almost  entirely 
for  draught,  and  horses  were  scarcely  seen  among 
them.  The  New  Yorkers  have  been  always  noted 
for  the  prevailing  use  of  horses,  and  the  assertion 
may  be  hazarded,  that  at  that  day,  as  well  as  now, 
they  possessed  a  greater  number  of  these  animals 
than  any  other  state.  As  there  was  always  some 
contention  about  getting  a  job,  as  it  was  called,  my 
father  took  the  precaution  to  bring  the  loads  con- 
tracted for,  down  to  his  own  farm,  and  then  he 
carried  them  to  the  north  afterwards,  as  he  had 
leisure.  "We  went  with  them  to  "Whitehall,  then 
known  as  Skenesborough,  the  residence  of  Colonel 
Skene,  a  noted  tory,  whose  residence  and  old  stone 
barn  were  at  this  time  in  the  quiet  possession  of 
a  few  troops  as  a  garrison,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Livingston.  "We  traveled  down  Lake 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  51 

George  to  Ti,  and  there  delivered  our  loads.  On 
our  second  trip  we  had  scarcely  unloaded  our 
sleighs  when  Colonel  Hay,  well  known  as  an  active 
and  efficient  quarter  master  general,  informed  us 
that  we  must  stay  and  commence  dragging  timber 
for  the  bridge  which  was  about  to  be  constructed 
by  order  of  congress  between  Ti  and  Mount  Inde- 
pendence. The  object  was  to  strengthen  the  posts, 
and  the  bridge  was  a  floating  ^structure  stretching 
over  between  them,  and  was  protected  by  a  boom 
thrown  across  the  lake  below.  Above,  large  cais- 
sons were  sunk  to  obstruct  the  navigation.  As  we 
had  not  yet  fulfilled  our  contract  in  regard  to  for- 
warding the  supplies,  my  father  remonstrated,  and 
mentioned  that  if  he  was  not  allowed  to  bring  on 
the  remainder  as  he  had  contracted,  before  the  lake 
opened,  it  would  after  that  become  impracticable. 
Colonel  Hay,  however,  said  that  it  was  far  more 
important  for  him  to  assist  in  the  construction  of 
the  works  than  to  transport  the  supplies,  although 
the  troops  had,  for  months  previously,  been  living 
from  day  to  day  on  precarious  and  scanty  rations. 
My  father,  on  this  occasion,  gave  a  specimen  of  his 
boldness  and  ingenuity,  and  it  illustrated  the  man- 
ner in  which  every  thing  was  managed  in  those 
days.  An  officer  was  dispatched  to  take  charge  of 
our  party,  and  my  father  then  requested  permission 


52  BEVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES. 

to  cross  over  to  Mount  Independence  to  deposit  his 
load.  He  gave  me  private  instructions  to  follow 
him  at  all  hazards.  The  officer  jumped  into  my 
sleigh  and  stood  up  in  it.  My  father  led  the  way, 
and  drove  down  hill  at  full  speed  in  another  direc- 
tion than  the  one  intended.  I  followed  him  as  fast 
as  possible,  when  the  officer  cried  out,  where  are 
you  going  to  ?  I  replied,  after  my  father,  and  a 
fresh  application  of  the  whip  made  the  horses  dash 
on  in  the  most  furious  manner.  The  officer  in  full 
dress,  and  not  relishing  the  strange  manoeuvre,  nor 
even  understanding  it,  thought  proper  to  jump  out 
of  the  sleigh,  and  in  doing  so,  described  a  parabolic 
curve,  or  rather  a  long  ellipse,  which  gave  him 
time  to  turn  heels  upward,  and  descended  with 
velocity,  head  foremost  in  the  snow.  I  gave  him 
one  look  over  my  shoulder  as  he  was  flying  through 
the  air,  and  then  another',  when  I  perceived  him 
stuck  upright  in  the  snow,  like  a  guide  board,  one 
foot  pointing  to  Mount  Independence,  and  the 
other  to  Ti.  But  I  was  too  happy  at  the  thought 
of  again  rejoining  my  father  to  indulge  in  any 
other  sentiments  than  those  of  exceeding  joy. 

"We  very  soon  got  under  the  brow  of  the  hill, 
and  on  the  lake  shore,  where,  to  our  surprise,  we 
found  many  others  of  our  companions  before  us, 
parleying  with  a  sentry,  who  guarded  the  roads  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  53 

the  lake,  and  who  required  them  to  show  a  permit 
before  he  could  allow  them  to  pass.  It  was  a  crit- 
ical moment  for  us,  as  we  expected  an  alarm  and 
pursuit.  One  John  Mahony,  a  neighbor  of  ours, 
had  previouly  drawn  out  of  his  pocket  an  old  certi- 
ficate, and  though  unable  to  read  himself,  endea- 
vored from  memory  to  mutter  out  the  words  of  a 
permit.  Nor  was  the  sentry  any  wiser,  for  he  could 
not  read,  and  Mahony  had  declared  that  it  was  a 
pass  for  nine  sleighs,  the  exact  number  that  was 
already  there,  before  we  arrived.  My  father,  with 
great  presence  of  mind  corrected  him,  and  read  the 
paper  so  it  appeared  a  permit  for  eleven  sleighs. 
The  sentry  took  all  for  granted  as  he  saw  the  paper 
before  his  eyes,  and  we  came  off  together  in  high 
glee.  "We  were  then  safe,  for  however  within  the 
line  of  sentinels  we  were  liable  to  detention,  be- 
yond them  we  knew  we  were  not  to  be  overtaken 
either  by  their  fire  or  by  pursuit  on  any  of  the 
worn  out  horses  of  the  garrison. 

Some  others  of  our  companions  were  not  so  fortu- 
nate. Coming  down  the  wrong  road,  with  similar 
intentions  of  escaping  from  impressment,  like  that 
which  my  father  had  determined  not  to  submit 
to,  they  crossed  the  very  same  sentinel,  though 
under  circumstances  which  showed  confusion  at 
seeing  him :  still  they  determined  to  force  their 


54  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

way  past  him.  He  hailed  them.  They  pretended 
not  to  hear  him.  He  hailed  again.  They  were 
deaf.  He  hailed  again.  They  kept  their  horses 
at  full  speed.  The  sentinel  fired,  and  as  they  were 
exactly  in  range  of  his  fire  the  ball  struck  the 
nearest  sleigh,  passed  between  the  legs  of  the 
driver,  between  the  horses  in  front,  and  struck 
the  next  sleigh,  where  it  lodged.  They  were  out 
of  reach  before  he  could  fire  again.  The  occurrence 
was  one  of  notoriety  at  the  time,  and  we  all  saw 
the  marks  of  the  sentinel's  intentions.  When  we 
arrived  at  Fort  Anne  we  had  another  similar  at- 
tempt at  coercion  to  resist.  A  sentinel  there  also 
stopped  us,  and  we  were  ordered  to  remain  and  to 
load  with  hides,  to  be  carried  down  to  Albany  for 
the  purpose  of  being  manufactured  into  shoes  for 
the  army.  As  it  was  getting  late  in  the  season,  and 
we  were  anxious  to  finish  our  contract  before  it  was 
impracticable,  objections  were  made  to  going  on  to 
Albany  at  that  time.  Mahony  endeavored  to  force 
the  guard,  but  a  scuffle  took  place,  and  he  was  over- 
powered. An  officer  came  up,  and  as  he  was  in- 
clined to  use  compulsion,  we  hit  upon  the  expedient 
of  giving  one  of  our  companions,  an  honest,  good 
natured  milita  oflfcer,  the  title  of  colonel;  and,  in  a 
measure,  placed  ourselves  under  his  protection. 
William  Van  W.,  although  acting  in  a  capacity  not 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  55 

very  military  at  the  time,  was  a  respectable  man, 
infinitely  more  so  than  hundreds  who  had  obtained 
rank  in.  our  continental  and  militia  service,  notwith- 
standing their  total  incapacity,  moral  and  intellect- 
ual. The  mention  of  his  title  had  considerable 
effect  upon  the  press-gang.  By  mutual  agreement, 
a  further  arrangement  was  to  be  made  in  relation 
to  the  business,  at  the  fort,  which  was  on  a  piece  of 
rising  ground.  The  sentinel  himself,  far  from  being 
boisterous,  civilly  pointed  at  the  road  which  went 
across  the  creek  and  round  a  point  of  land,  while 
he  took  a  short  cut  across  the  point  to  be  there  as 
soon  as  we.  The  colonel  forgot  his  rank  and  his 
promise,  and  so  did  we.  The  moment  we  were  out 
of  view,  under  the  rise  of  ground,  we  left  the  officer 
to  imagine  what  he  pleased.  We  drove  oif  towards 
home  at  full  speed,  and  were  soon  out  of  his  reach. 
These  circumstances  are  related  with  some  minute- 
ness, in  order  to  give  a  faithful  picture  of  the  time. 


[56] 


CHAPTER  XI. 

-LETS  post  was  in  fact  a  mere  block-house  sur- 
rounded by  palisades.  It  was  near  the  creek,  which 
poured  down  the  rocks  into  the  basin  below,  and  in 
its  passage  turned  the  wheel  of  a  saw-mill.  We 
escaped  from  the  block-house  and  its  occupants, 
and  reached  our  home  without  further  molestation. 
We  took  up  our  last  load,  and  again  set  out  for  Ti- 
conderoga,  which  we  reached  without  incident.  But 
when  we  arrived  there  some  apology  was  indispen- 
sible  for  our  previous  conduct.  My  father,  albeit 
unused  to  play  the  orator,  acted  as  spokesman  for 
the  delinquents.  As  I  have  a  full  recollection  of 
the  interview  with  Colonel  Hay,  I  will  give  the 
particulars.  Wiping  his  forehead  with  the  back  of 
his  hand,  handkerchiefs  being  rather  scarce  in  those 
days,  and  then  straightening  his  locks  over  his 
forehead,  he  gave  a  hem,  and  a  nod,  and  then  ob- 
served briefly,  and  to  the  point,  "Well,  here  we 
are  again,  Colonel  Hay."  "Yes,  so  I  perceive," 
said  the  colonel,  "  and  the  public  interests  have 
suffered  severely  by  your  late  conduct.  I  must 
hold  you  responsible  for  the  consequences."  My 
father  instantly  replied  :  "I  have  no  objections  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  57 

be  held  responsible,  my  urgent  business  is  now 
finished.  My  word  is  kept,  my  contract  is  finished. 
You  can  take  any  course  the  law  will  warrant" 
Colonel  Hay  knew  his  man.  He  immediately 
observed,  "  Give  me  your  word  that  the  sleighs  in 
your  company  shall  remain  to  assist  us  for  a  few 
days,  and  I  am  satisfied."  My  father  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  give  the  required  promise,  as  he  was  always 
willing  to  aid  the  service,  and  he  well  knew  the 
necessity  of  completing  the  works  of  defence, 
then  in  a  state  of  preparation,  to  resist  the  approach- 
ing enemy. 

The  great  bridge  was  not  yet  finished,  and  on 
the  morrow  and  three  successive  days  our  whole 
party  was  most  assiduously  employed  in  drawing 
timber.  It  was  a  bridge  of  communication,  built 
of  wood,  which  was  supported  by  twenty-two 
sunken  pieces  of  large  timber  at  nearly  equal  dis- 
tances. The  spaces  between  them  were  filled  by 
separate  floats,  each  fifty  feet  long  and  twelve  wide, 
strongly  fastened  by  chains  and  bolts,  and  affixed 
to  the  sunken  piers.  In  front  of  this  was  a  boom 
made  of  large  round  pieces  of  timber,  secured  by 
riveted  bolts  and  double  chains  of  inch  and  a  half 
iron.  It  was  a  strong  work. 

The  rapid  change  of  the  weather  soon  rendered 
our  sleighs  awhile  useless,  and  our  return  home 

necessary.      My  father  was  again   the   organ   of 
8 


58  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

communication,  and  Colonel  Hay  agreed  to  dis- 
charge the  whole  party  if  three  pairs  of  horses 
could  be  purchased  at  fair  prices  for  the  service. 
My  father  readily  undertook  to  obtain  them,  and  a 
general  muster  of  all  our  cattle  immediately  took 
place.  The  object  was  then  explained,  and,  as  he 
had  from  the  first  anticipated,  all  were  willing  to  sell. 
The  three  pairs  were  selected  with  sleighs  and 
harness.  The  highest  price  paid  was  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy  dollars.  The  money  was  counted 
out  to  them  from  a  store  of  continental  currency 
that  afterwards  gave  great  comfort  to  the  officers 
of  Burgoyne's  army  as  they  traveled  through 
ISTew  England,  particularly  those  old  campaigners 
who  had  anticipated  some  such  exigency  as  that 
which  made  them  the  guests  rather  than  the  masters 
of  the  people  they  had  expected  to  subjugate.  The 
purchase  being  thus  effected,  we  came  away,  right 
glad  to  be  released  from  the  laborious  operation  of 
dragging  over  hill  and  dale  the  immense  pieces  of 
timber  which  were  to  become  integral  parts  of  the 
defence  of  Ticonderoga. 

I  remember  that  as  our  provisions  grew  scarce 
during  this  period  of  our  probation,  we  were 
served  with  the  same  food  which  was  dealt  out  to 
the  garrison.  My  organs  of  digestion  were  not 
quite  equal  to  the  task  imposed  upon  them  by  our 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  59 

new  diet.  I  became  most  deplorably  sick,  and 
often  wished  myself  home  that  I  might  share  in  the 
daily  comforts  of  a  well  stocked  larder  and  cleanly 
board.  I  really  thought  my  last  hour  was  come. 
"Brandy  and  burnt  sugar"  were  scarcely  a  pallia- 
tive. But  "  Time  and  the  hour  run  through  the 
roughest  day,"  and  I  recovered  almost  as  expedi- 
tiously  as  I  became  indisposed.  The  detention  of 
a  few  days  was  not  regretted  by  those  who  had 
occasion  for  the  services  of  our  party.  At  length 
we  sat  out  for  Skenesboro',  and  there  fresh  trouble 
awaited  us.  The  commanding  officer  remembered 
the  trick  we  played  him,  but  had  not  ventured  to  in- 
terrupt us  on  our  way  north,  loaded  as  we  were  with 
important  supplies  for  Ticonderoga.  ISTow,  how- 
ever, a  sergeant  and  file  of  men  took  possession  of 
our  "  pale  caravan."  We  were  compelled  by  the 
law  of  the  strongest  to  go  to  work  drawing  sawlogs 
for  the  confounded  little  sawmill  I  have  before 
mentioned.  Here  we  tugged  away  in  no  good  hu- 
mor for  several  days,  when  my  father's  generalship 
again  brought  us  off  with  flying  colors. 


[60] 


CHAPTER 

_L  HE  escape  from  our  new  tormentors  was  brought 
about  in  the  following  manner.  A  day  was  fixed 
on  which  to  make  the  attempt.  On  that  day  I  was 
told  by  my  father  to  take  charge  of  the  pair  of  horses 
I  had  usually  under  my  care,  and  lead  them  into  the 
woods,  where,  in  a  certain  place,  covered  up  with 
branches  of  wood,  I  would  find  my  sleigh,  and  that 
done  to  follow,  by  a  given  route,  the  party  who  were 
to  take  an  early  start.  I  did  so,  leading  one  horse 
and  riding  the  other,  under  the  excuse  that  I  was 
well  enough  now  to  go  to  the  woods.  "When  I 
reached  the  forest  I  could  not  at  first  discover  the 
place  where  our  sleigh  was  concealed.  I  looked 
and  looked  in  vain.  Every  moment  I  feared  the 
long  absence  of  the  company  would  lead  to  inquiry 
and  detection.  They  were  well  all  gone,  and  I  was 
left  alone  to  bear,  perhaps,  the  weight  of  increased 
resentment.  My  father  gone  too  !  The  idea  was 
absolutely  frightful.  Overcome  by  the  most  pain- 
ful recollections  I  sobbed,  I  wept  aloud.  In  the 
moment  of  this  anguish  my  eyes  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  place  of  concealment.  My  tears  ceased  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  61 

flow.  I  moved  off  at  a  brisk  pace  to  the  spot, 
and  found  the  object  of  my  search.  It  was  but  a 
minute's  work  to  adjust  the  harness.  It  took  but  ano- 
ther to  get  my  horses  at  full  speed.  I  drove  them 
for  eight  miles  as  fast  as  they  would  go,  and  a  joyful 
meeting  it  was  when  I  overtook  my  friends.  They 
had  left  me  behind  for  the  purpose  of  making  good 
their  retreat,  well  knowing  that  if  I  had  been  de- 
tected my  youth  would  have  saved  me  from  any 
difficulties,  and  have  prevented  my  detention.  My 
escape,  however,  was  foremost  in  my  own  mind,  and 
I  considered  myself  almost  a  hero,  in  consequence  of 
the  adventure. 

It  formed  the  subject  of  an  animated  description 
to  my  mother,  when  I  once  more  came  within  the 
purview  of  her  domestic  circle,  and  home  was  never 
more  agreeable  to  me  than  when  I  reached  it  at 
this  time. 

It  was  generally  understood  that  Ticonderoga 
would  have  held  out  against  the  enemy.  But  St. 
Clair  had  under  his  command  only  a  force  of  three 
or  four  hundred  men,  not  all  effective,  and  was  not 
very  well  supplied  with  the  means  of  subsisting 
them.  This  able  and  patriotic  individual,  after 
serving  under  Wolfe,  and  gaining  a  high  character 
for  his  military  services,  even  as  a  subaltern,  obeyed 
the  call  of  his  country  at  the  very  commencement 


62  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

of  the  revolution,  and  abandoned  affluence,  a  happy 
and  interesting  family,  and  the  charms  of  Ligopier 
valley,  to  serve  the  cause  of  freedom  and  of  man. 
At  the  battle  of  Trenton  he  had  contributed  essen- 
tially to  the  glory  and  success  of  that  enterprise, 
and  is  even  said  to  have  originated  it. 

Unfortunately  for  him,  as  the  event  proved,  he 
was  selected  to  oppose  an  army  which  Burgoyne 
was  leading  on,  flushed  with  the  victories  it  had 
achieved  in  the  old  world.  The  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
can flotilla  on  Lake  Champlain  increased  the  diffi- 
culty of  his  position,  and  he  found  himself  unable 
to  maintain  a  post  requiring  a  force  much  larger 
than  he  possessed.  Under  all  these  embarrassing 
circumstances  the  enemy  approached  —  they  ex- 
pected a  bloody  fight,  but  at  the  same  time  were 
prepared  to  open  on  Ti  from  the  higher  ground  on 
Sugar  Hill,  a  fire  which  would  have  made  its  further 
defence  impracticable.  The  celebrated  evacuation 
of  the  post  followed,  and  through  the  indiscretion 
of  General  Fermoy,  who  set  fire  to  his  dwelling, 
the'  enemy  had  sufficient  light  thrown  on  the  move- 
ments of  St.  Clair  to  make  instant  preparation  for 
pursuit.  The  result,  however,  set  the  whole  coun- 
try in  confusion,  and  we  now  began  to  look  forward 
to  scenes  of  distress  and  suffering. 

My  father  had  succeeded  this  season  in  raising 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  63 

the  finest  crops  on  his  farm  he  ever  had.  His 
wheat  and  rye  were  abundant,  and  in  fine  order. 
He  now  began  to  think,  as  the  rumors  of  Burgoyne's 
approach  increased,  that  he  had  raised  them  for  the 
use  of  the  enemy.  The  news  of  our  losses  at  Ti- 
conderoga  and  Hubbardton  had  spread  like  wild 
fire  among  all  classes,  and  we  expected  nothing  else 
than  the  rapid  approach  of  Sir  John,  as  he  was 
then  called. 

In  the  bitterness  of  disappointment  the  unfortu- 
nate St.  Clair  received  a  full  share  of  denunciation, 
and  we  forgot  that  he  had  saved  an  army,  which 
was  far  more  important  to  us  than  a  post.  All  im- 
partial observers  have  acquitted  him  of  blame ;  but 
the  justice  of  his  country  never  restored  him  to  the 
situation  in  which  it  found  him,  when  it  first 
demanded  his  services.  Abandoned  to  poverty  and 
neglect,  the  veteran  lingered  out  a  wretched  exist- 
ence, forgotten  by  the  young  and  fiery  politicians 
of  later  times,  whose  only  object  seems  too  much 
to  consist  in  gratifying  the  lust  of  office.  This  may 
seem  a  harsh  judgment,  but  the  feelings  of  an  old 
man,  who  knows  what  sacrifices  were  made  in  the 
times  that  tried  men's  souls,  must  be  an  apology 
for  the  expression  of  his  indignation  at  the  policy 
of  later  periods. 

General  St.  Clair,  with  the  remnants  of  his  force, 


64  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

joined  General  Schuyler  at  Fort  Edward,  who,  on 
this  occasion,  as  every  other,  was  firm,  cool,  reso- 
lute and  undismayed.  My  father  was  in  the  habit 
of  familiar  intercourse  with  him,  and  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  of  safety  was  often  on  the 
most  confidential  terms.  I  cannot  avoid  here  again 
paying  my  feeble  tribute  to  the  memory  of  this 
good  and  great  man.  I  will  not  enter  into  an 
account  of  his  military  character ;  it  would  be 
unnecessary  at  this  time,  when  ample  justice  is  done 
him  by  his  countrymen.  But  I  can  say  of  him, 
what  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  assert,  that  he  was 
the  idol  of  the  inhabitants  of  Saratoga.  He  was 
looked  upon  as  a  sound,  judicious  man,  patriot  a 
and  a  statesman,  and  one  whose  influence  had  a 
most  salutary  effect  at  this  crisis  of  our  northern 
campaign.  During  this  time,  while  he  was  at  the 
north,  I  remember  a  simple  present  was  sent  him 
by  his  rustic  neighbors,  in  the  shape  of  a  musk- 
melon,  which  reached  him  safely,  and,  being  uncom- 
monly fine,  afforded  a  luxurious  repast  to  him  and 
his  military  suite.  He  used  to  write  frequently, 
nay,  constantly,  to  his  family,  giving  the  account 
of  Burgoyne's  movements,  which  information  was 
communicated  as  regularly  to  the  people  in  the 
neighborhood.  He  assured  my  father  he  should 
have  the  earliest  information  of  every  thing  import- 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  65 

ant,  and  requested  him  to  remain  at  home  as  long 
as  possible,  for  the  sake  of  setting  an  example 
of  confidence  to  his  neighbors.  He  did  not  know, 
however,  how  few  were  left  to  follow  such  an  exam- 
ple. Almost  every  body  who  could  do  so,  moved' 
off,  and  these  were  the  first  to  invent  and  propagate 
slanders  against  St.  Clair  and  Schuyler. 

It  is  a  fact,  that  a  story  circulated  at  this  time, 
which  had  some  influence  upon  the  discontented 
and  ignorant,  that  these  two  generals  had  been 
bought  up  by  Burgoyne,  who  had  actually  fired 
silver  balls  into  their  camp,  and  that  in  a  few  days 
more  they  would  join  the  enemy.  Our  personal 
danger  was  first  realized  by  us,  in  the  following 
manner. 


[66] 


CHAPTER 

JD  OE  some  days  no  information  was  received  from 
our  troops,  who  were  supposed  to  be  entrenched  at 
Mosses  creek  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  stand. 
"We  had  no  idea  that  they  were  so  dispirited  by 
their  retreat  as  we  afterwards  found  them  to  be,  and 
not  being  apprised  of  the  exact  state  of  affairs,  we 
were  wrapped  in  fond  security  until  our  danger  was 
suddenly  brought  home  to  us  by  one  of  the  start- 
ling incidents  attendant  upon  an  enemy's  approach. 
It  was  in  August,  and  we  had  just  risen  from  din- 
ner, rendered  doubly  grateful  from  an  appetite 
gained  in  "the  field  at  harvest  home."  My  father 
had  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  invaders' 
army  much  longer  than  most  of  his  friends,  and 
relying  upon  the  advantages  of  early  advice  from 
our  army,  pursued  his  agricultural  avocations  with 
his  usual  diligence.  It  was  then,  as  I  have  before 
mentioned,  that  we  were  just  risen  from  the  dinner 
table,  when  one  of  my  uncle's  negroes  came  running 
to  the  house  with  eyes  dilated  in  direct  proportion 
to  the  danger,  or,  perhaps,  more  mathematically, 
as  the  square  of  the  distance.  It  was  some  time 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  67 

before  our  Mercury  could  recover  sufficient  breath, 
to  confirm  the  horrors  that  played  in  his  eyes. 
After  waiting  for  a  few  moments  for  the  return  of 
his  natural  functions,  we  learned  from  him  that  an 
Indian  had  been  discovered  in  the  orchard  near  the 
house,  evidently  intending  to  shoot  a  person  belong- 
ing to  the  family,  who  was  at  work  in  the  garden ; 
the  blacks,  however,  had  given  the  alarm,  and  the 
man  escaped  into  the  house,  while  at  the  same 
moment  six  other  savages  rose  from  their  place 
of  concealment  and  ran  into  the  woods.  This  was 
on  our  side  of  the  river.  The  savages  that  remained 
with  Burgoyne  were  continually  for  miles  in  ad- 
vance of  him,  on  his  flanks,  reconnoitering  our 
movements  and  beating  up  the  settlements.  Their 
cruelty  was  not  to  be  restrained,  and  after  the  death 
of  Miss  McCrea,  whom  I  have  often  seen,  they 
were  not  at  all  checked  by  the  animadversions  and 
threats  of  Sir  John  himself.  My  father,  on  learn- 
ing the  fact  of  their  approach,  went  immediately 
over  to  his  brother's  house,  which  was  about  one 
fourth  of  a  mile  off,  to  ascertain  what  was  to  be 
done  for  the  safety  of  the  families.  He  found  him 
making  every  exertion  to  move  away,  and  the 
domestics  busily  engaged  in  getting  $very  thing 
ready.  During  my  father's  absence  my  mother, 
who  was  a  resolute  woman,  one  fitted  for  the  times 


68  [REVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

in  which  she  lived,  was  industriously  placing  the 
most  valuable  of  her  clothing  in  a  cask ;  and  at  her 
instance  I  went  out  with  some  of  our  servants  to 
catch  a  pair  of  fleet  horses  and  harness  them  as  fast 
as  possible  to  the  wagon.  To  those  who  now  sit 
quietly  in  their  own  shady  bowers,  or  by  the  fire- 
side long  endeared  by  tranquility  and  happiness,  I 
leave  it  to  be  imagined  with  what  feelings  we 
hastened  to  abandon  our  home  and  fly  for  safety,  we 
knew  not  whither.  The  men  of  this  generation 
can  never  know  what  were  the  sorrows  of  those 
fathers  that  saw  their  children  exposed  to  dangers 
and  to  death,  and  what  the  agonies  of  those  mothers 
who  pressed  their  offspring  to  their  bosom,  in  the 
constant  apprehension  of  seeing  them  torn  from 
their  embraces  to  become  the  victims  of  savage 
cruelty. 

I  can  never  forget,  and  I  feel  it  now  impossible, 
with  sufficient  force  to  describe,  the  distress  of  our 
family  at  this  moment  of  peril  and  alarm.  The 
wagon  was  soon  at  the  door,  and  as  my  father  came 
up  he  directed  us  to  carry  a  few  loads  down  to  the 
river,  and  place  them  in  a  light  batteau  which  be- 
longed to  us,  and  was  fastened  to  the  shore  at  the 
meadow's  bank  near  the  ferry.  The  first  time  I 
went  down  alone  and  soon  unloaded  the  contents 
of  the  wagon.  The  distance  I  had  to  go  was  about 


KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.  69 

a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  road  ran  down  the  meadow, 
and  was  cut  through  the  bank  on  the  river  side, 
in  order  to  make  it  easy  of  ascent.  Between  the 
upland  and  lowland  of  our  farm  there  was  a  board 
fence,  and  a  few  bars  were  usually  placed  across  the 
road.  The  second  time  having  some  heavier  arti- 
cles to  carry,  I  was  accompanied  by  my  father.  As 
we  approached  the  fence,  which  he  had  left  down, 
we  saw  the  third  bar  across  the  road  so  as  effectu- 
ally to  prevent  our  passing  through.  What  does 
this  mean,  exclaimed  he.  I  was  breathless  with  agi- 
tation, and  stopped  the  horses.  My  father  sprang 
out,  making  an  expressive  motion  with  his  hand  to 
keep  back  for  a  few  moments.  "Warily  and  carefully 
turning  his  eye  in  every  direction,  he  approached 
the  bar,  and  let  it  down.  I  drove  on,  he  jumped 
in,  and  we  lost  no  time  in  hastening  home.  The 
circumstance  gave  us  great  uneasiness.  When  we 
reached  home  he  made  minute  inquiries  among 
his  laborers  and  blacks  if  any  of  them  had  been 
down  to  the  meadow.  He  found  that  none  of  them 
had  been  away  from  the  house.  He  then  formed 
the  conclusion  that  some  Indians  had  passed  along 
that  way,  and  supposing  we  had  crossed  the  river, 
and  got  beyond  their  reach  (for  we  were  hid  from 
their  observation  by  being  under  the  bank  at  the 
river  side),  had  gone  away.  The  danger  was  so  near 


TO  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

as  to  induce  him  to  make  more  speed  and  use  greater 
precaution.  A  gun  was  loaded  and  placed  in  my 
hands  and  I  patrolled  about  the  house  with  a  feeling 
of  some  responsibility.  I  strained  my  eye  to  detect 
the  least  appearance  of  motion,  presented  my  piece 
at  every  waving  bush,  but  was  not  under  the 
necessity  of  discharging  it.  A  friendly  neighbor, 
who  was  also  anxious  to  ascertain  the  state  of  things, 
came  up  at  this  time,  and  assisted  me  in  keeping 
guard — my  father,  in  the  interim,  placed  the  family 
in  the  wagon  —  among  other  precautions,  he  had 
opened  his  pens  and  let  loose  upon  the  world  six 
noble  porkers,  whom  he  had  assidiously  been  feed- 
ing, determined  that  the  enemy  should,  at  least, 
have  the  trouble  of  catching  before  they  should 
cook  them  —  he  also  buried,  in  the  road,  some 
valuable  domestic  utensils,  which  we  recovered, 
some  years  afterwards,  in  perfect  preservation.  At 
last  we  bade  adieu  to  our  homestead,  and  arrived 
safely  at  the  river.  At  about  5  o'clock  p.  M.  my 
father  crossed  over  with  the  family  at  the  ferry, 
while  I  and  one  of  the  blacks  were  put  into  a  small 
canoe,  and  we  proceeded  down  the  stream  as  fast 
as  we  could  ply  our  paddles.  We  joined  the  family 
at  Vandenbergh's,  eight  miles  down  the  river,  where 
we  obtained  further  information  —  we  learned  that 
a  party  of  Indians  had  been  going  from  our  neigh- 


KEVOLUTIOXARY  EEMINISCENCES.  71 

borliood  to  the  south-east,  after  surprising  a  farmer 
by  the  name  of  Lake.  While  working  at  his  trade 
as  a  carpenter,  in  an  out-house  near  his  dwelling, 
he  was  surprised  by  the  salution  from  the  savages 
of  sago.  With  great  presence  of  mind  he  said 
sago,  in  reply  to  them.  He  saw  that  resistance 
would  be  vain,  and  therefore  continued  quietly  at 
work ;  they  looked  at  him  a  few  moments,  and  then 
went  towards  his  house,  but  took  nothing  from  it. 
On  coming  out  they  discovered  an  oven  which 
gave  signs  of  having  just  been  heated  ;  they  opened 
it,  arid  finding  it  full  of  bread,  took  each  of  them 
a  loaf.  In  a  field  adjacent  a  sheep  came  straying 
near  them ;  one  of  them  instantly  shot  it,  and  in  a 
few  moments  it  was  cut  into  quarters  and  carried  off. 
Lake  was  a  resolute  man,  and  observed,  if  he  could 
only  have  had  any  chance  with  them  he  never 
would  have  suffered  them  all  to  escape  alive.  At 
Vandenbergh's  we  found  my  father,  who  had  arrived 
there  first,  and  was  keeping  an  anxious  lookout 
for  us  on  the  shore. 


[72] 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

found,  on  landing,  a  number  of  people,  who, 
like  ourselves,  had  been  driven  from  their  homes. 
I  scarcely  ever  witnessed  a  greater  scene  of  hurry 
and  confusion  than  was  now  presented  to  our 
view.  I  had  been  amused  by  the  novelty  and  pleased 
with  the  variety  of  incidents  which  attended  our 
own  flight,  but  the  distress  of  the  groups  around  us 
changed  the  current  of  my  feelings,  and  excited  my 
deepest  sympathy.  "We  passed  the  night  amongst 
them.  Some  of  them  obtained  accommodations 
within  doors ;  some  were  happy  to  be  under  the 
cover  of  the  cattle  sheds,  while  others  stretched 
themselves  in  their  wagons,  and  endeavored  to 
snatch  a  few  moments  of  repose.  Early  in  the  morn- 
ing the  sleepers  were  awakened,  and  no  fresh  ru- 
mors alarmed  them  to  any  very  hasty  movements. 
Indeed,  my  father  rather  rashly  resolvd  to  return 
home,  accompanied  by  a  few  congenial  spirits,  to 
get  further  information  of  the  enemy,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, to  save  some  of  his  cattle  and  farming  stock — 
I  say  rashly,  as  Burgoyne  was  expected  down  with 
his  army  every  hour.  Soon  after  he  was  gone  the 


LT    GEN.    BUROOYNE. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  73 

whole  body  of  the  people  at  Vandenbergh's  moved 
off'  towards  Stillwater ;  a  general  panic  now  pre- 
vailing among  them,  -which  seemed  every  hour  to 
increase.  My  father,  however,  safely  reached  his 
house,  and  succeeded  in  getting  off  part  of  his  stock. 
He  immediately  pushed  for  the  Hoosick  river,  whch 
he  intended  to  cross,  and  then  pass  over  into  New 
England.  Corresponding  arrangements  had  been 
made  on  our  part,  when  he  left  us,  to  rejoin  him 
there.  Our  procession  of  flying  inhabitants  wore 
a  strange  and  melancholy  appearance.  A  long 
cavalcade  of  wagons,  filled  with  all  kinds  of  furni- 
ture, not  often  selected  by  the  owners  with  reference 
to  their  use  or  value  on  occasions  of  alarm,  stretched 
along  the  road,  while  others  on  horseback,  and 
here  and  there,  two  mounted  at  once  upon  a  steed 
panting  under  the  double  load,  were  followed  by  a 
crowd  of  pedestrians,  sed  longo  intervallo.  These 
found  great  difficulty  in  keeping  up  with  the 
rapid  flight  of  their  mounted  friends.  Here  and 
there  would  be  seen  some  humane  person  assisting 
the  more  unfortunate,  by  relieving  them  of  the 
packs  and  bundles  with  which  they  were  incum- 
bered;  but,  generally,  a  principle  of  selfishness" 
prevented  much  interchange  of  friendly  offices. 
Every  one  for  himself  was  the  constant  cry.  After 

my  father's  departure  he  committed  to  me  the  care 
10 


74  KEVOLUTIONARY  BEMINISCENCES. 

of  his  wagon  and  houses,  and  the  safe  conduct  of 
my  mother  and  the  family.  Unfortunately  for  me, 
when  we  left  home,  I  had  selected  the  most  valua- 
ble and  spirited  horses,  and  so  restive  did  I  now  find 
them  that  they  completely  overcame  my  strength 
and  wearied  my  patience.  They  were  continually 
attempting  to  run  past  the  wagons  ahead  of  me, 
and  were  every  instant  making  an  effort  to  get  off 
the  road.  My  chafed  and  blistered  hands  could  no 
longer  restrain  them.  I  saw  that  in  a  few  moments 
more  I  should  be  unable  to  prevent  the  lamentable 
consequences.  My  mother  was  then  nursing  a 
young  infant  which  she  now  held  in  her  arms,  and 
felt  an  indescribable  anxiety  on  that  account.  She 
succeeded  in  making  a  person,  who  came  alongside 
of  us,  sensible  of  our  distress,  and  hired  him  to 
drive  the  horses  at  the  then,  dear  rate  of  a  shilling 
a  mile,  but  he  soon  gave  up  from  inability  to  con- 
trol them,  having  far  less  skill  than  myself.  In  this 
dilemma,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  and  despair  in  her 
looks,  she  got  out  of  the  wagon,  and  picking  up  a 
stout  club  ID  the  road,  walked  on  for  many  miles 
at  the  head  of 'the  unruly  animals,  and  with  her 
infant  on  one  arm,  actually  kept  them  back  and 
restrained  them  from  breaking  the  line  by  strik- 
ing them  over  the  heads  with  the  stick  she  held  in 
the  other.  And  so  great  was  each  individual's 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  75 

anxiety  for  himself,  that  not  a  person  in  the  throng 
offered  to  assist  her.  I  knew  of  but  one  other  mo- 
ther who,  in  our  part  of  the  country,  endured 
greater  hardships  than  mine.  And  I  shall,  doubt- 
less, be  understood,  when  I  refer  my  readers  to  the 
fair  and  intelligent  heroine  of  Tomhannock,  who 
has  left  behind  her  an  account  of  her  flight  from 
home,  about  the  same  time,  with  a  young  child  she 
dearly  loved,  unprotected,  friendless,  and  exposed 
to  danger  at  every  step  of  a  most  perilous  journey. 
"When  we  reached  Stillwater  it  was  evident  that 
our  retreat  was  well  timed,  for  the  advance  guard 
of  Gen.  Schuyler's  army  arrived  almost  as  soon  as 
we  did.  They  encamped  there,  and  the  increasing 
confusion  and  noise,  every  moment,  added  new  diffi- 
culties to  those  we  already  were  doomed  to  encoun- 
ter. We  remained  here  all  night,  as  it  was  our 
intention  next  day  to  cross  the  river  and  overtake 
my  father,  who,  by  this  time,  we  supposed  several 
miles  on  his  way  to  Massachusetts.  Some  of  his 
brothers  also  agreed  to  take  the  same  direction,  and 
early  in  the  morning  we  crossed  the  river  and 
traveled  a  whole  day  through  a  penetrating  rain 
and  over  the  worst  of  roads.  We  had  gone  about 
fifteen  miles  when  darkness  overtpok  us,  and  we 
were  far  from  any  place  of  shelter.  We  had  no 
alternative  but  to  remain  there  till  morning,  and 


76  KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

selecting  the  driest  place  in  the  marsh  where  we 
were  fairly  stuck  fast,  some  beds  were  taken  out  of 
the  wagons  and  laid  on  the  ground.  On  these  my 
mother  reposed,  if  the  wakeful  and  comfortless 
hours  could  be  said  to  have  been  repose.  "We  were 
afraid  to  light  any  fire,  for  we  knew  the  woods  were 
filled  with  tories  and  Indians.  To  our  hard  fate 
necessity,  therefore,  compelled  us  to  submit.  Cold, 
wet  and  dreary  was  the  night,  yet  it  was  not  without 
its  consolation,  for  before  morning  broke  upon  our 
wretched  bivouac  my  father  arrived,  to  our  great 
astonishment  and  pleasure.  He  had  sent  off  his 
cattle  to  the  eastward — and  then  he  returned  to 
Stillwater — finding  us  gone,  he  followed  our  track, 
and  at  length  overtook  us  at  this  spot.  We  started 
as  soon  as  it  was  light  enough  to  travel,  and  that 
day  reached  San  Coick,  in  the  south  part  of  Cam- 
bridge, where  we  were  received  by  some  distant 
connexions  with  much  hospitality. 


[77] 


CHAPTER  XV. 

VV  E  afterwards  learned  that  at  a  place  called  lull's 
Mills,  upon  the  very  route  we  had  taken,  a  man  had 
been  killed  only  two  hours  after  we  had  passed. 
We  were  now  resting  ourselves  at  San  Coick ;  but 
as  the  bird  which  lights  upon  the  waving  branch, 
rather  than  in  the  denser  foliage  of  the  trees,  that 
it  may  more  easily  wing  its  flight,  so  we  hovered 
upon  the  borders  of  the  army,  that  we  might  again 
disengage  ourselves  upon  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
and  escape  to  some  other  place  of  security.  The 
second  day  after  our  arrival  my  father  went  back  to 
Stillwater  to  secure  or  bring  away  another  wagon 
and  pair  of  horses.  The  whole  army  were  now  there, 
unable  to  maintain  themselves  in  their  former  posi- 
tion, and  indeed  being  on  the  retreat.  On  his  re- 
turn he  was  startled  at  hearing  a  heavy  discharge  of 
musketry.  He  fancied,  as  many  others  did,  that  a 
general  engagement  had  commenced,  but  it  proved 
to  be  only  a  preparation  for  cleaning  muskets  that 
had  grown  foul  and  almost  useless  during  the  rainy 
weather,  and  for  which  General  Schuyler  with  his 


; 


ual  prudence  saw  a  favorable  opportunity. 


78  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

The  noise  was  distinctly  heard  for  many  miles. 
As  my  father  approached  within  a  few  miles  of  San 
Coick,  a  person  who  was  riding  with  him  in  his 
wagon,  and  whose  fears  gave  a  telescopic  accuracy 
to  his  vision,  discovered  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  they 
were  descending,  a  party  of  men  crossing  the  road  at 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  distance  before 
them.  They  were  moving  off  to  the  north  with 
great  rapidity  in  single  file,  and  were  at  least  forty 
in  number.  It  was  about  dusk  when  this  unpleas- 
ant vision  occured.  It  was  doubtful  whether  they 
were  on  the  retreat  or  proceeding  to  set  an  ambush 
for  the  two  travelers. 

My  father  took  counsel  of  his  courage,  and  with  a 
dash  of  resolution,  peculiar  to  himself,  determined 
to  make  the  most  of  his  perilous  situation.  He  gave 
the  whip  to  his  horses,  put  them  to  their  full  speed, 
while  at  the  same  time  he  and  his  companion 
shouted  as  loud  and  as  fast  as  possible:  Hurrah! 
come  on  men,  here,  here,  hurrah ! !  making  the 
woods  reecho  to  their  cries.  "What  precise  effect 
this  stratagem  had  could  never  be  ascertained,  for 
certain  it  is  the  forty  were  no  more  seen,  and  the 
travelers  reached  their  place  of  clestination  in 
safety. 

A  circumstance  took  place  at  this  time  within  my 
knowledge  which  caused  much  conversation  among 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  79 

those  of  us  acquainted  with  the  facts.  There  was  a 
schoolmaster  by  the  name  of  Frazer,  who  had  been 
employed  by  our  neighbors  to  teach  their  children, 
and  by  my  father  and  uncles  in  particular.  He 
used  to  say  he  was  a  nephew  of  Capt.  Frazer,  who, 
I  believe,  had  charge  of  Burgoyne's  Indians,  and 
had  been  his  secretary,  or  perhaps  his  servant  at 
Quebec.  He  was  a  pensioner  of  the  British  gov- 
ernment in  consequence  of  a  wound  he  had  received 
in  its  service.  About  the  time  that  Burgoyne  was 
drawing  so  near,  us  this  man  proposed  to  me  to  go 
to  the  enemy,  stating  that  when  he  reached  them  he 
could  get  1,800£  which  was  due  him  from  the  crown. 
I  presume  he  wanted  me  as  a  witness  to  prove  that 
he  had  never  taken  up  arms  against  his  country. 
I  declined  going  ;  hut  he  succeeded  in  enticing  the 
very  person  who  was  with  my  father  during  the 
scene  above  mentioned.  These  deserters  had  not 
proceeded  far,  however,  from  San  Coick,  before  both 
the  knight  errant  and  his  squire  were  taken  prison- 
ers by  an  American  patrol,  and  under  circumstances 
showing  their  intentions  too  plainly  to  be  misunder- 
stood. My  father  was  astonished  at  Frazer,  but 
nevertheless  offered  to  become  security  for  his  good 
behavior.  At  first  it  was  refused,  but  after  some 
trouble  they  consented,  and  Frazer  was  relieved 
from  the  threatened  horrors  of  confinement,  and  be- 


80  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

came  a  sort  of  hanger-on  of  our  family  until  better 
times.  "We  soon  discovered  that  our  proposed  re- 
treat into  New  England  would  not  do,  for  provisions 
were  scarce  and  fodder  for  cattle  was  not  to  be  had 
there.  We  then  turned  our  faces  towards  Albany, 
and  our  friends  at  San  Coick  came  along  with  us. 
The  restive  horses  were  now  driven  by  another 
hand,  and  I  rode  on  horseback  in  the  character  of 
a  drover,  or  cattle  driver.  We  went  through  Tom- 
hannock  to  Lausingburgh,  where  another  adventure 
occurred  of  a  similar  nature. 


[81] 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

we  went  through  the  settlement  of  Lansing- 
burgh  some  of  the  cows  of  my  uncle's  drove  had 
strayed  away  from  the  main  body,  and,  leaving  the 
road,  had  entered  some  of  the  adjacent  fields, 
tempted,  no  doubt,  by  the  appearance  of  some- 
thing eatable  in  that  quarter.  A  few  of  us  entered 
a  ravine  in  hopes  of  finding  them  there.  Hallooing 
like  drovers  we  soon  got  them  out  of  the  gully, 
and  came  out  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town  towards 
Mr.  Lansing's.  Here  we  all  huddled  under  a  large 
barn  to  escape  a  heavy  shower,  and  were  scarcely 
ensconced  when  an  old  man  came  tottering  up  to  us 
with  his  face  covered  M7ith  mud,  and  his  clothes 
stripped  from  his  back ;  a  more  distressed  object 
could  scarcely  be  imagined.  My  father,  however, 

recognized  him  as  Squire ,who  informed  him 

that  he  was  just  liberated  in  the  condition  we  saw 
him,  by  a  party  of  tories  and  Indians,  upwards  of 
200  in  number,  by  whom  he  had  been  taken  pri- 
soner. He  informed  us  that  he  was  with  them  in 
the  very  gully  through  which  we  passed  in  search 

of  the  cattle.    Said  he, "  You  had  a  narrow  escape, 
11 


82  KEVOLUTIONAKY  REMINISCENCES. 

but  they  were  too  busy  in  examining  me  as  to  the 
number  of  our  troops,  the  places  of  rendezvous, 
and  state  of  public  feeling."  They  were  therefore 
silent  as  we  passed.  They  had  robbed  the  old  man 
of  a  beaver  hat,  his  silver  shoe  buckles  and  most  of 
his  clothes,  and  then  sent  him  away.  This  was  all 
done  in  broad  daylight.  We  could  scarcely  credit 
his  story,  but  his  respectability  and  actual  appear- 
ance left  us  no  room  to  doubt.  Burgoyne  always 
moved  with  great  precaution  —  was  always  seeking 
intelligence ;  and  if  ever  a  general  was  well  served 
by  his  scouts,  or  an  invading  army  assisted  by  dis- 
affected inhabitants,  his  was.  Rank  toryism  and 
"  infamous  venality  "  fought  against  us  on  his  side, 
and  I  am  persuaded  our  cause  was  sustained  by  the 
Lord  of  battles,  or  we  should  have  sunk  under  the 
difficulties  which  beset  us.  It  is  well  known  that 
the  ancestors  df  some  of  the  most  respectable  families 
now  in  the  city  of  Albany  were  actually  confined 
or  sent  out  of  the  state  in  consequence  of  their 
secret  exertions  in  favor  of  Burgoyne.  From  Lan- 
singburgh  we  hastened  to  Troy,  and  while  at  the 
ferry  waiting  our  turn  for  crossing  the  report  of  a 
rifle  was  heard  just  back  of  us  in  the  hollow  now 
filled  with  thriving  factories.  "We  soon  learned  that 
a  man  had  been  shot  and  scalped  by  the  Indians, 
who  were  lurking  in  the  vicinity.  My  mother  was 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  83 

alarmed,  and  though  accustomed  to  hair-breadth 
escapes,  desired  to  incur  no  more  of  them.  She 
urged  my  father  to  cross  as  soon  as  possible,  which 
he  did.  It  was  dark,  however,  before  we  made 
good  our  passage.  We  drove  our  wagons  and  stock 
into  a  barn,  where  we  were  happy  to  be  sheltered 
from  a  heavy  rain.  We  were  not  there  long  before 
a  detachment  of  troops  on  their  way  to  join  the 
camp  came  up  and  entered  the  barn  pell  mell.  "We, 
who  had  escaped  from  our  enemies,  had  now  as 
much  as  we  could  do  to  protect  ourselves  from  our 
friends.  They  went  about  in  the  dark  feeling  in 
the  wagons,  and  taking  every  thing  they  could  lay 
their  hands  on.  The  doctrine  of  meum  and  tuum 
was  not  recognized  by  the  marauders,  and  we  were 
obliged  to  stretch  ourselves  at  full  length  over  our 
goods  in  order  to  frustrate  their  attempts  at  pilfer- 
ing. The  night  was  passed  in  this  way,  and  it 
was  only  in  the  morning  when  they  went  off  that 
we  were  enabled  to  get  a  little  sleep.  We  then 
came  on  to  Albany.  The  roads  were  filled  with 
people  flying  like  ourselves,  who  feared  all  was 
lost ;  a  general  despondency  prevailed.  As  we  came 
near  the  residence  of  the  Patroon,  as  the  head  of 
the  Rensselaer  family  is  still  termed,  we  were  in- 
vited by  some  person  of  his  establishment  to  remain 
and  recruit  ourselves  at  the  old  brick  house  now 


84  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

occupied  as  his  office,  on  the  right  hand  side  of  the 
road,  shaded  with  venerable  trees.  For  a  fortnight 
we  remained  there,  being  allowed  a  room  for  our 
family.  We  were  here  treated  in  the  kindest  man- 
ner; our  stock  was  permitted  to  graze  in  the 
adjacent  fields.  I  should  do  injustice  to  the  feelings 
of  our  grateful  hearts  if  I  did  not  take  the  opportu- 
nity of  expressing  a  sense  of  our  obligations  for 
this  kindness,  although  fifty  years  have  elapsed 
since  we  received  their  attentions.  It  gives  me 
pleasure  to  think  that  amidst  the  vicissitudes  which 
have  overtaken  other  distinguished  families  of  that 
day,  this  has  not  only  sustained  its  character  for 
virtue,  benevolence  and  philanthropy,  but  for  well 
deserved  wealth.  "While  it  makes  no  claim  on  the 
public  for  ostentatious  actions,  it  silently  performs 
its  duty  to  society  in  such  a  manner  as  to  win  the 
respect  and  regard  of  all.  The  present  proprietor 
of  the  immense  estate  of  that  family  is  universally 
beloved,  and  wears  the  palm  decreed  to  modest  and 
unassuming  merit,  to  benevolent  and  patriotic 
worth.  If  this  should  ever,  come  under  his  eye,  let 
not  the  honest  compliment  of  an  old  friend  cause 
him  a  single  blush.  The  world  decrees  him  the  cele- 
brity due  his  amiable  character,  and  the  concurrence 
of  individual  opinion  is  but  a  leaf  in  his  chaplet.1 
1  The  late  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  85 

Having  recruited  ourselves  after  our  fatigue  and 
anxiety  we  proceeded  to  Bethlehem,  and  were  there 
kindly  received  by  our  relations.  This  I  think  pro- 
per to  mention,  for  I  may  state  that  as  distrust  and 
selfishness  often  characterized  the  times  which  I  am 
describing,  many,  in  referring  back  to  that  period, 
can  remember  but  too  well  the  coolness  which  was 
shown  to  them  by  persons  in  whose  friendship  they 
expected  to  find  sympathy  and  relief.  Too  many  in 
looking  back  to  those  days  of  peril  and  alarm  find 
cause  to  regret  the  suspicion  which  seemed  to  color 
every  transaction.  It  was  a  critical  period,  and 
every  one  seemed  to  imagine  his  own  danger  and 
difficulty  as  great  as  it  was  possible  to  encounter; 
and  under  this  impression  ties  the  most  natural 
and  affecting  were  like  ropes  of  sand,  broken  at  the 
very  touch. 


[86] 


CHAPTER  XVH. 

.E  ROM  Bethlehem  we  made  a  visit  to  another 
relative  of  my  father's,  from  whom  we  also  received 
much  kindness  and  some  assistance.  Here  the 
family  remained  until  they  returned  home.  About 
the  time  that  the  hostile  armies  at  the  north  began 
to  approach  each  other,  and  our  forces  left  their 
encampment  at  Van  Schaick's  island,  which  still 
remains  in  possession  of  the  descendants  of  the 
then  owners,  and  moved  back  again  to  Stillwater, 
towards  the  enemy,  my  father  had  a  great  curiosity 
to  be  present  at  some  of  the  expected  battles. 
After  the  British  had  destroyed  all  the  crops  about 
Gen.  Schuyler's  farm,  and  reduced  a  beautiful  spot 
to  a  scene  of  distress  and  poverty,  they  moved  on 
to  a  place  called  Doyacote,  before  they  crossed  the 
river,  opposite  to  which  one  spot  was  rendered 
interesting  by  an  accident  of  a  singular  kind.  I 
have  often  stood  upon  the  very  place  where  Major 
Ackland's  tent  took  fire,  and  where  Lady  Harriet 
and  himself  were  nearly  lost  in  the  flames.  As 
this  is  a  reminiscence  not  generally  known,  I  will 
state  what  I  believe  the  fact  was.  The  Major  being 
with  the  advance  guard,  and  obliged  to  be  very 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  87 

diligent  in  attending  to  his  command,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  difficulty  and  danger  of  his  position, 
kept  a  candle  burning  in  his  tent.  A  Newfound- 
land dog,  of  which  they  were  very  fond,  unfortu- 
nately pushed  the  candle  from  a  table  or  a  chair, 
where  it  was  standing.  It  fell  against  the  side  of 
the  tent,  and  instantly  the  whole  was  in  a  blaze ;  a 
soldier  who  was  keeping  guard  near  them  rushed 
in  and  dragged  Major  Ackland  from  the  flames, 
while  Lady  Harriet  crept  out  almost  unconsciously 
through  the  back  part  of  the  tent.  When  she 
looked  round  she  saw  with  horror  her  husband 
rushing  into  the  flames  in  search  of  her.  Again 
the  soldier  brought  him  out,  though  not  without 
considerable  injury  to  both.  Every  thing  in  the 
tent  was  consumed ;  but  the  lovers  were  too  happy 
to  see  each  other  in  safety  to  regret  the  loss  of  their 
camp  equipage.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  state,  that 
this  admired  and  beautiful  wroman  had  already 
been  subjected  to  great  inconvenience  and  distress 
before  the  army  arrived  at  Saratoga.  She  had 
been  distinguished  by  her  devotion  and  unremit- 
ting attention  to  her  husband,  when  he  lay  sick  at 
Chamblee  in  a  miserable  hut,  encountering  every 
inconvenience  and  subjected  to  every  privation. 
She  was  indeed  not  only  the  idol  of  her  husband, 
but  the  admiration  of  the  army,  continually  making 
little  presents  to  the  officers  belonging  to  her  hus- 


88  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

band's  corps,  whenever  she  had  any  thing  among 
her  stores  worthy  of  acceptance.  She  experienced 
in  return  from  them  every  attention  which  could 
mitigate  the  hardships  she  daily  was  obliged  to 
encounter. 

When  her  husband  was  wounded  at  Hubbard- 
ton,  she  again,  like  a  guardian  angel,  hovered 
round  him  and  watched  him  until  restored  to 
health.  The  moment  she  heard  of  his  being 
wounded  she  hastened  from  Montreal,  where  she 
had  intended  to  remain,  and  crossed  the  lake  in 
opposition  to  her  husband's  injunctions,  resolved  to 
share  his  fate  and  be  separated  from  him  no  more. 

My  father's  first  visit  to  the  camp  was  on  the 
evening  of  the  day  of  battle,  which  occurred  on 
the  7th  October.  The  troops  were  very  much 
elated  with  their  success,  although  having  so 
decided  a  superiority  in  numbers.  It  was  a  cur- 
rent saying  among  the  men,  that  the  battle  had 
been  brought  on  by  the  enemy's  attempting  a  for- 
age, and  that  "Wilkinson,  then  a  major,  informed 
Gen.  Gates  they  offered  him  battle.  His  reply 
was,  "Send  the  old  wagoner  to  see."  This  name, 
given  to  Col.  Morgan,  was  a  cant  phrase  in  the 
army.  Gen.  Gates,  relying  on  Morgan's  great 
intrepidity  and  good  sense,  kept  him  usually  in 
advance.  It  was  eleven  o'clock  at  night  before  all 
our  troops  got  back  to  the  camp.  Such  noise  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  89 

i 
confusion    were    new  to  my    father.     He  often 

mentioned  the  impressions  he  received  upon  this 
occasion.  The  noise  of  drums,  the  cries  of  the 
wounded,  the  hailing  of  sentinels,  the  moving 
lights,  the  groups  of  soldiers  all  eager  for  another 
contest,  gave  animation  and  spirit  to  the  scene. 
Among  the  losses  of  the  enemy  was  Sir  Francis 
Clarke,  aid  to  Burgoyne,  a  young  man  of  brilliant 
talents,  mortally  wounded  and  a  prisoner.  Major 
Ackland  was  wounded  and  again  separated  from 
the  woman  he  loved,  who  during  the  action  had 
remained  within  reach  of  our  cannon,  listening  to 
every  sound  with  heart  breaking  emotions. 


12 


[90] 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

IT  was  on  the  8th  of  October,  if  I  am  not  mis- 
taken, that  Burgoyne's  retreat  was  first  discovered. 
The  news  created  an  intoxication  of  joy  in  the  Ame- 
rican camp.  My  father  being  well  mounted,  and 
anxious  to  see  every  thing  that  could  be  seen,  and 
also  having  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  country 
roads,  proposed  to  two  friends,  Mr.  Swart  and  Mr. 
Schuyler,  to  go  forward  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing intelligence.  They  started,  taking  a  private 
road  which  came  out  at  Saratoga  opposite  the 
church,  and  there,  at  a  short  distance  from  them, 
actually  saw  the  British  troops  passing  by.  In 
consequence  of  their  excessive  fatigue,  and  a  tre- 
mendous rain  and  thunder  storm,  they  were  all  day 
getting  there.  My  father  always  claimed  the  credit 
with  his  companions,  of  having  saved  the  old  church 
from  being  burned.  A  soldier  was  seen  approach- 
ing it  with  fire,  when  they  immediately  shouted  to 
the  man  with  all  their  might.  He  dropped  the 
brand  and  ran  off — they  in  the  same  instant  turned 
their  horses  into  the  woods,  and  made  off  at  full 
speed.  My  father,  although  he  arrived  late  that 
afternoon  in  the  camp,  obtained  a  fresh  horse,  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  91 

reached  Albany  at  11  o'clock  that  night,  bringing 
the  joyful  news  of  Burgoyne's  retreat. 

I  ought  not  to  forget  that  Lady  Harriet  Ackland 
was  written  to  by  her  husband  after  his  capture,  and 
Major  Wilkinson  attempted  with  a  flag  to  carry  the 
letter  to  the  enemy's  camp.  He  was  repulsed  at 
every  quarter.  "When  the  enemy  retreated  to  Sara- 
toga she  asked  permission  of  General  Burgoyne  to 
go  to  her  husband,  leaving  it,  however,  at  his  option 
to  decide  against  her  application,  if  he  thought  it 
would  be  contrary  to  propriety  under  existing  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  represented  that  the  British 
commander  was  thunderstruck  at  the  application, 
but  gave  her  leave  to  proceed,  although  he  was 
utterly  unable  to  afford  any  assistance.  After  her 
fatigue,  and  after  being  drenched  in  a  heavy  rain 
of  twelve  hours,  she  instantly  proceeded  on.  The 
celebrated  letter  of  Gen.  Burgoyne  to  Gen.  Gates 
on  the  occasion  has  often  been  admired  as  a  speci- 
men of  that  talent  for  composition  which  afterwards 
distinguished  the  author  of  the  Narrative,  and  seve- 
ral elegant  comedies  well  known  to  the  literary 
public. 

From  the  wife  of  a  soldier  she  obtained  a  little 
spirit  and  water,  and  with  this  to  sustain  her  she 
set  out  in  an  open  boat,  accompanied  by  the  British 
chaplain  Brudenell,  her  own  waiting  maid,  Sarah 
Pollard,  and  her  husband's  valet  de  chambre,  who 


92  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

had  been  severely  wounded  in  searching  through 
the  field  of  battle  for  his  master  when  he  was  first 
missing. 

An  impression  has  gone  abroad,  sanctioned  not 
only  by  gentlemen  belonging  to  Burgoyne's  army, 
but  by  that  general  himself,  that  this  ill  fated  a,nd 
amiable  female  was  kept  all  night  in  the  boat,  and 
not  permitted  to  land  until  morning.  This  is  not 
the  fact.  In  ten  minutes  after  the  boat  was  hailed 
by  the  sentinel  of  the  advance  guard  she  was 
invited  to  the  quarters  of  Major  Dearborn  (after- 
ward so  distinguished  as  a  general  officer),  where 
she  received  every  attention  in  his  power  to  bestow, 
and  was  made  happy  by  the  intelligence  of  her  hus- 
band's safety.  In  the  morning  before  sunrise  she 
was  on  her  way  down  the  river  to  Albany,  under 
the  guidance  and  protection  of  some  of  our  friends." 
The  resolution  and  firmness  of  this  lady  excited  a 
great  sensation  throughout  our  camp,  while  the 
tender  devotion  which  she  displayed  towards  her 
husband,  "won  her  golden  opinions  of  all  sorts  of 
people." 

The  maid  who  attended  her  has  very  lately  died, 
and  her  devotion  to  her  mistress  was  made  the  sub- 
ject of  an  engraving  which  was  published  in  1784. 

Lady  Harriet  joined  her  husband  at  Albany,  and 
remained  with  him  till  he  was  enabled  to  be  re- 


BEVOLTJTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.  93 

moved  to  the  city  of  New  York,  whence  he  sailed 
for  England. 

The  sequel  of  hef  story  is  worth  remembering. 
Major  Ackland,  soon  after  his  return  to  England, 
became  involved  in  a  quarrel  at  a  dinner  table, 
from  the  circumstance  of  his  defending  the  bravery 
of  the  Americans. 

A  duel  ensued,  and  the  major  was  killed  at  the 
first  fire.  Lady  Harriet  for  a  time  lost  her  senses 
through  grief,  but  after  a  time  accepted  the  hand 
of  the  reverend  chaplain  whose  fate  had  so  strongly 
been  linked  with  hers  in  descending  the  Hudson 
together.1 

I  have  in  vain  attempted  to  trace  the  subsequent 
history  of  this  admirable  woman. 


error,  see  note  in  appendix. 


[94] 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  CIRCUMSTANCE  took  place  about  this  time 
which  made  considerable  noise  amongst  our  friends. 
It  was  the  death  of  Major  Van  V.,  a  very  brave  man, 
who  was  killed  by  the  enemy  in  an  attempt  to  visit 
his  farm  at  Schaghticoke.  His  family  had  been 
sent  to  Albany  at  an  early  day;  but  when  Burgoyne 
was  on  the  retreat  he  could  not  repress  his  desire 
to  visit  his  former  home.  Unfortunately  he  took 
no  guard  with  him,  and  was  accompanied  by  but 
one  person,  who  was  a  neighbor.  They  both  car- 
ried rifles.  After  crossing  the  river  at  Yates's  they 
took  a  road  that  wound  up  round  a  field  to  the  fort, 
which  was  on  the  rising  ground  beyond.  Scarcely 
had  they  reached  the  turn  of  the  road  before  a  vol- 
ley was  poured  in  on  them  from  the  right:  Major 
Van  V.  instantly  fell,  but  recovering  himself  rose 
on  his  knees,  and  he  and  his  companion  fired  to- 
gether. They  loaded  as  rapidly  as  possible,  but 
before  they  were  ready  to  fire  a  second  time  another 
volley  was  poured  in  upon  them  by  their  assailants. 
The  major  then  fired  and  fell,  crying  out  to  his 
companion,  "I  am  a  dead  man,  save  yourself  if  you 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  95 

can!"  His  companion  leaped  the  fence,  passed 
through  a  cornfield,  and  taking  a  marsh,  leaped 
forward  from  bog  to  bog  in  order  to  leave  no  track 
behind  by  which  Ke  could  be  pursued.  In  this 
way  he  reached  the  river  side,  and  ran  up  the  banks 
under  cover  of  the  rocks  to  the  upper  end  of  Van 
Antwerp's  reefs,  through  which  he  waded  to  the 
island  in  the  river  at  that  place,  and  thence  crossed 
to  the  west  side.  He  reached  the  American  camp 
unhurt.  A  party  was  sent  from  thence  to  bring 
Major  Van  V.  in ;  they  found  him  at  the  place  de- 
scribed, hacked  to  pieces  and  scalped.  But  they 
also  found  three  Indians  dead  in  the  adjacent  field; 
an  extraordinary  circumstance,  which  showed  that 
the  major  and  his  companion  behaved  with  courage 
and  coolness,  notwithstanding  their  surprise  and 
the  disparity  of  force.  His  body  was  brought  to 
Albany  and  buried ;  but  his  unfortunate  wife  was 
not  permitted  to  see  the  corpse,  it  was  so  sadly 
mutilated  by  his  savage  enemies. 

I  mentioned  that  my  father  had  arrived  with  the 
news  of  the  retreat.  The  intelligence  was  joyful 
to  us.  He  ordered  the  black  to  get  three  horses 
ready  early  in  the  morning  to  take  us  back  to  Sara- 
toga. Our  sleep,  though  not  sound,  was  filled  with 
pleasant  dreams.  Early  as  the  day  dawned  all 
were  on  the  move  but  my  mother,  who  rem  ned 


96  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

behind.  "We  met  on  the  road  great  numbers  of 
wounded  men  belonging  to  both  armies.  A  great 
many  were  carried  on  litters,  which  were  blankets 
fastened  to  a  frame  of  four  poles.  I  never  saw  the 
effects  of  war  until  now.  In  camp  there  was  some- 
thing of  "pomp  and  circumstance,"  which  rather 
animated  than  depressed  the  spirits.  But  the  sight 
of  these  wretched  people,  pale  and  lifeless,  with 
countenances  of  an  expression  peculiar  to  gunshot 
wounds,  as  the  surgeons  have  truly  informed  us,  and 
the  sound  of  groaning  voices,  as  each  motion  of 
the  litter  renewed  the  anguish  of  their  wounds,  filled 
me  with  horror  and  sickness  of  heart.  And  is  public 
happiness  then  bought  at  the  price  of  individual 
wretchedness  ?  Must  blood  and  tears  and  sorrow  be 
the  result  of  even  the  most  just  and  righteous  contro- 
versies ?  The  human  heart,  "a  tangled  yarn,  "brings  a 
curse  on  its  own  plans.  Even  its  virtues  are  allied  to 
the  demons  of  its  fallen  nature,  and  will  never  be  sepa- 
rated until  humanity  shall  wear  a  brighter  form  in 
days  of  millenial  glory.  We  were  much  affected 
with  what  we  saw  on  our  short  journey ;  and  the 
remembrance  cannot  be  effaced. 

"We  reached  the  American  camp  and  drove 
through  it  to  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite  my 
uncle's  farm.  We  got  out  and  walked  along  the 
bank  to  see  if  there  was  any  thing  to  aid  us  in  get- 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  97 

ting  across.  My  father  luckily  recognized  a  Capt. 
Kuute,  of  the  bateau  men,  who  kindly  offered  us 
the  use  of  a  scow,  and,  indeed,  saw  us  safely  over  the 
river.  We  drove  that  night  to  our  own  home.  But 
oh,  how  much  changed !  It  looked  like  a  military 
post,  to  which  use  it  was  actually  converted.  A 
thousand  eastern  militia  were  quartered  around 
the  premises.  We  began  to  think  we  had  not 
gained  much  by  coming  on  at  this  juncture.  My 
father,  however,  entered  the  house  in  the  dark,  and, 
being  familiar  with  the  passages  and  rooms,  made 
his  way  into  the  stove  room,  which  he  naturally 
thought  would  be  most  comfortable.  Having 
brought  a  candle  from  the  wagon  with  him,  he 
deliberately  lighted  it  at  the  stove.  The  moment 
it  glimmered  a  person  jumped  off  his  bed,  and  ob- 
served to  my  father  with  as  much  twang  as  was 
agreeable,  "  You  seem  to  be  considerable  acquainted 
here."  My  father's  reply  was,  "  I  used  to  be." 
The  stranger  rejoined,  "You  are  the  owner  may 
be."  My  father  answered  "No  !  I  find  some  here 
before  me."  "0,  well,"  continued  the  speaker, 
"you  shall  be  accommodated."  At  this  instant  the 
steady  blaze  of  the  candle  showed  the  room  to  be 
occupied  by  a  number  of  persons,  and  there 
appeared  no  probability  of  our  receiving  the  pro- 
mised accommodation.  But  he  spoke  as  one  having 
13 


98  KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

authority,  wlien  he  exclaimed.  "  Stir  boys,  stir ; 
clear  the  way,  here  is  the  owner  come !"  They 
yawned  and  grunted,  and  got  out  of  the  way  with 
unexpected  good  nature.  He  also  placed  a  guard 
over  our  wagon  to  protect  it  from  invasion.  My  father, 
in  order  to  return  his  civilities,  brought  in  some 
spirits  to  the  officer,  and  a  social  glass  was  handed 
round.  It  was  an  unexpected  happiness  to  the 
kind  hearted  Yankee.  The  draught  was  repeated 
until  sleep  came  to  refresh  us  after  our  fatigues. 
Stretched  on  pallets  of  straw,  we  laid  ourselves 
down ;  and  after  strange  vicissitudes  of  hope  and 
fear  we  sunk  to  rest  once  more  in  our  own  house, 
every  ill  and  every  fatigue  forgotten. 


[99] 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

JL  HE  next  day  brought  its  variety ;  we  discovered 
that  our  fellow  lodgers  were  troops  from  Sheffield, 
Mass.,  and,  if  I  remember  right,  were  some  of  those 
militiamen  who  refused  to  stay  with  the  army  until 
Burgoyne  should  be  compelled  to  surrender.  Next 
morning  I  accompanied  my  father  to  the  camp, 
where  all  was  excitement  and  animation.  It  is  a 
fact,  that  the  troops  did  not  eat  in  the  ardor  of  pur- 
suit with  that  appetite  which  is  the  soldier's  charac- 
teristic. The  demands  of  nature  were  forgotten. 
A  floating  bridge  was  constructed  during  this  day 
over  the  river  opposite  Gen.  Gates's  quarters.  It 
was  made  of  boards,  and  was  a  kind  of  raft  secured 
by  cables  and  ropes  on  both  shores.  Over  this 
floating  structure  a  brisk  foraging  was  kept,  and  it 
was  our  fate  to  lose  something  more  in  consequence. 
"When  we  had  deserted  our  home  we  left  our  crops 
standing  in  the  field.  During  our  absence  they 
had  been  kindly  cut  and  piled  in  shocks,  as  we 
termed  them,  by  the  English  and  Tories.  A  bridge 
of  boats  had  been  constructed  by  Burgoyne's  army, 
for  the  convenience  of  foraging,  in  the  same  way 


100          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

as  was  now  done  by  our  troops.  Our  wheat  having 
thus  been  prepared  for  use,  circumstances  alone 
prevented  them  from  completing  their  harvest. 
Our  commissaries  found  it  all  ready  at  their  hands. 
Bundle  after  bundle  was  pitched  into  the  wagons, 
and  it  was  carried  over  to  the  camp  for  the  use  of 
the  horses  as  it  was  fit  for  nothing  else.  The  wheat 
was  taken  without  a  word  being  said.  My  father 
waived  his  own  rights  entirely,  but  when  he  saw 
the  wagons  returning  to  the  farm  after  the  wheat 
was  gone,  he  suspected  his  rye  was  about  to  share 
a  similar  fate.  A  wry  face  was  very  natural.  He 
immediately  crossed  over  to  the  farm,  and  by  going 
through  the  fields,  he  succeeded  in  getting  ahead 
of  the  wagons  just  as  they  were  about  to  enter  the 
enclosures ;  at  this  instant  he  seized  a  long  stake 
from  the  fence,  and  took  post  near  the  bars,  where 
the  wagons  must  necessarily  pass.  The  commissary, 
a  continental  oflicer,  and  in  full  dress,  ordered  the 
driver  in  front  to  take  down  the  bars.  My  father 
said  he  should  resist  the  effort  at  the  risk  of  his 
life.  The  wagoner  had  no  wish  to  attempt  the 
passage.  The  commissary  dismounted,  drew  his 
sword,  and  approached  the  spot  as  if  he  at  least 
was  not  to  be  intimidated.  The  stake  was  raised 
in  a  most  unequivocal  manner.  One  instant  more 
and  the  officer's  brains,  if  he  had  any,  were  iii  danger 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  101 

of  a  concussion.  "  Touch  those  hars  at  your  peril." 
The  officer  called  the  wagoners  to  his  assistance. 
They  declined  interfering,  stating  that  they  did  not 
wish  to  get  themselves  into  difficulty.  The  officer 
behaved  with  discretion.  He  did  not  touch  the  fence, 
but  remounting  his  steed,  drove  off  the  ground, 
followed  by  a  train  of  empty  wagons.  When  they 
were  fairly  gone,  my  father  again  headed  them,  and 
crossing  the  bridge,  which  was  constantly  crowded 
with  persons,  he  arrived  in  camp  and  stationed 
himself  near  the  head  quarters,  waiting  the  result. 
The  commissary,  as  he  anticipated,  instantly  went 
to  Gen.  Gates,  taking  his  empty  wagons  with  him. 
The  general  asked  him  the  reason  why  he  returned 
empty.  The  officer  replied  that  the  owner  forcibly 
resisted  him.  "Did  you  attempt  to  take  lawfully? 
Did  you  take  appraisers  with  you?"  "No  sir," 
drawled  out  the  subaltern.  "You  blockhead," 
said  the  general,  with  more  warmth  than  regard  to 
etiquette,  "  he  would  have  been  justified  had  he  re- 
sisted you  to  the  last  extremity."  While  this  was 
going  on  some  one  hinted  that  my  father  was  the 
owner,  and  he  was  recognized  by  the  general. 
"  We  must  have  the  grain  for  our  horses,"  said  he. 
His  manner  was,  however,  mild  and  conciliating. 
My  father  instantly  replied,  "  My  necessities  are 
greater  than  yours,  general.  You  have  taken  all 


102          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

my  wheat :  it  is  hard  that  my  last  grain  should  be 
taken  from  me."  General  Gates  seemed  touched 
with  the  reply,  but  added,  "  My  dear  sir,  I  respect 
this  necessity  as  much  as  you  do,  but  it  is  easier  for 
an  individual  to  provide  for  his  wants,  than  me  to 
manage  for  a  whole  army.  This  is  the  crisis  of  our 
fate.  The  salvation  of  this  country  rests  on  the 
issue  of  events  now  taking  place,  and  in  the  result 
you  and  all  of  us  are  deeply  interested."  My  father 
"thought  like  a  sage,  though  he  felt  as  a  man." 
"  Then  take  it,  sir,  but  let  it  be  done  in  the  manner 
prescribed  by  law  ;  my  country  demands  the  sacri- 
fice, and  cheerfully  will  I  make  it/' 

Appraisers  were  then  appointed  on  the  spot,  and 
they  proceeded  together  and  asssessed  the  loss  sus- 
tained by  us.  A  nominal  advantage  it  proved  to 
be  in  the  end,  for  after  taking  every  thing,  my 
father  never  even  got  a  certificate  of  the  quantity 
carried  away,  nor  any  voucher  whatever  from  the 
commissaries.  The  quantity  taken  was  so  consid- 
erable as  to  induce  my  father  afterwards  to  go  to 
Poughkeepsie  to  obtain  some  recognition  of  this 
sacrifice,  supported  by  the  necessary  papers  to  es- 
tablish the  fact;  the  quartermaster  general  declined 
doing  any  thing  in  relation  to  it.  This  is  one  of 
the  thousand  instances  of  the  petty  tyranny  and 
injustice  of  public  agents  in  the  days  of  the  revolu- 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          103 

tion,  and  is  given  to  corroborate  the  facts  set  forth 
in  our  most  authentic  histories.  My  father  died  a 
creditor  to  the  government  in  more  than  this  one 
instance.  His  posterity  have  never  gained  any 
thing  by  his  devotion  to  the  cause. 


[104] 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

W  E  remained  busily  at  work  on  our  farm,  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  circumstance  of  war.  The 
enemy  at  length,  overcome  by  the  difficulties  of  an 
untenable  position,  had  retreated  to  Fish  kil,  and 
crossing  the  creek,  took  possession  of  the  heights 
beyond,  with  an  intention  of  retreating  to  Fort 
Edward.  I  made  an  excursion  with  a  neighbor,  up 
the  west  side  of  the  river  to  see  what  was  going  on. 
At  one  place  I  was  witness  to  the  military  achieve- 
ments of  militia  that  lay  concealed  along  the  bank, 
and  waylaid  every  thing  that  promised  them  any 
plunder.  Burgoyne's  bateaux  and  scows  during 
these  his  retrograde  movements  were  busily  engaged 
in  moving  up  with  his  baggage  and  provisions  as 
well  as  they  were  able.  The  militia  took  possession 
of  all  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  but  were  at 
length  menaced  by  the  general  order  of  the  12th 
September,  with  the  utmost  severity  of  the  law,  "  for 
the  many  mean  and  scandalous  transactions  of  per- 
sons who  seek  more  after  plunder  than  the  honor 
of  doing  their  duty  in  a  becoming  soldierlike  man- 
ner." Nay,  the  officers  themselves  were  alluded  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  105 

in  the  same  order.  "Officers  who  know  their  duty 
and  have  virtue  to  practice  it,  will  not  be  seeking 
plunder  when  they  ought  to  be  doing  their  best 
service  in  the  field." 

As  I  have  intended  to  give  a  faithful  description  of 
the  scenes  which  were  witnessed  by  us  all,  I  hope 
I  shall  not  be  considered  as  having  "aught  set  down 
in  malice." 

A  few  bateaux  and  scows  were  passing  along  as 
I  arrived — they  were  loaded  with  military  stores, 
the  baggage  of  the  officers,  and  the  women  who 
followed  their  "soger  laddies."  A  few  well  directed 
shots  brought  them  to  the  bank.  A  rush  took 
place  for  the  prey.  Every  thing  was  hauled  out 
and  carried  back  into  a  low  swampy  place  in  the 
rear,  and  a  guard  placed  over  it.  What  was  not 
convertible  to  money  or  necessary  for  use  was 
burned,  and  when  the  plunder  was  divided  among 
the  captors,  the  poor  females,  trembling  with  fear, 
were  released  and  permitted  to  go  off  in  a  boat  to 
the  British  army,  a  short  distance  above,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river.  Such  a  collection  of  tanned 
and  leathern  visages  was  never  before  seen.  Poorly 
clad,  their  garments  bearing  the  marks  of  hard- 
ships, and  their  persons  war-worn  and  weary,  the 
women  were  objects  of  my  sincere  pity.  The  wife 

and  bairns  of  the  soldier  have  often  excited  the  sym- 
14 


106          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

pathy  of  the  poet,  and  have  been  pointed  in  the 
sweetest  language  of  the  muse  to  their  only  con- 
solation. 

"  When  the  vengeful  strife  is  over, 
Then  ye'll  meet  nae  mair  to  sever, 
Till  the  day  ye  die,  lassie." 

But  I  believe  even  the  less  sentimental  and 
desponding  followers  of  the  camp,  though  not  ele- 
vated to  any  rank  in  the  imaginations  of  the  bards, 
are  deserving  subjects  of  pity,  if  not  of  poetry.  I 
could  not  help  looking  at  these  women  without 
involuntarily  thinking  of  their  long  distance  from 
their  native  villages  in  England  and  in  Germany, 
the  dangers  they  had  passed,  and  all  the  hardships 
they  must  have  encountered,  not  forgetting  their 
exposure  a  few  moments  before  to  the  fire  of  our 
eager  marksmen,  and  the  random  shots  that  might 
have  terminated  their  miserable  existence.  Indeed, 
while  we  were  all  together  on  the  bank,  some  con- 
test of  a  similar  kind  had  created  a  sharp  firing 
across  the  river  near  us,  and  the  shot  came  rattling 
over  our  heads  in  the  trees  and  bushes  like  rain  pat- 
tering on  the  pavement. 

Near  the  marsh  my  companion  and  I  had  occa- 
sion to  assist  one  of  the  very  kind  of  persons  pro- 
bably alluded  to  in  the  general  order  of  Gen.  Gates. 

As  we  approached  a  small  creek  we  saw  a  horse 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          107 

and  his  rider  lying  floundering  in  the  mud,  in 
apparent  inextricable  confusion.  On  coming  up 
we  ascertained  that  his  immobility  was  partly  owing 
to  his  having  a  bag  about  his  person  full  of  musket 
balls,  which  he  had  picked  up  he  said,  in  a  shallow 
place  in  the  river,  and  which  now  hung  like  a  mill- 
stone round  his  neck.  We,  however,  assisted  him 
to  quit  the  slough,  and  remount  his  steed  with  the 
bag  of  bullets,  and  he  slowly  trotted  away. 


[108] 


CHAPTER  XXIH. 

moment  the  scene  was  growing  more 
interesting.  As  we  came  near  the  main  b*ody  of 
the  enemy,  which  we  approached  within  three 
fourths  of  a  mile,  and  while  we  were  looking  round 
to  observe  the  movements  of  different  detachments 
about  us,  which  we  could  do  very  distinctly,  we 
observed  a  flash  from  a  cannon,  and  almost  instantly 
saw  a  ball  come  out  of  the  Saratoga  church, 
apparently  deadened  by  the  resistance  it  had  met. 
It  passed  over  our  heads  with  a  slight  whizzing, 
and  struck  in  the  bank  behind  us,  at  the  distance 
of  three  hundred  yards.  In  a  few  moments  another, 
its  fellow,  passed  through  the  church  in  the  same 
manner,  and  struck  in  the  same  bank  beyond  us. 
I  judged  that  the  range  of  these  shots  was  about  a 
mile.  The  church  long  exhibited  the  marks  of  the 
balls  ;  but  it  was  pulled  down  some  years  ago,  and 
another  of  more  modern  appearance  is  now  devoted 
in  its  place  to  religious  worship.  "We  did  not 
remain  in  our  position  any  longer.  "We  were  well 
satisfied  that  we  had  exposed  ourselves  sufficiently 
for  the  present  to  gratify  our  curiosity.  An  anec- 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          109 

dote  recurs  to  my  recollection  which  shows  the 
daring  of  our  soldiers.  It  is  well  known  that  the 
east  side  of  the  river  was  lined  with  militia.  One 
of  them  discovered  a  number  of  the  enemy's 
horses  feeding  in  a  meadow  of  Gen.  Schuyler's, 
opposite  ;  he  asked  permission  of  his  captain  to  go 
over  and  get  one  of  them.  It  was  given,  and  the 
man  instantly  stripped,  and  swam  forward  across 
the  river.  He  ascended  the  bank,  and  selecting  a 
bay  horse  for  his  victim,  approached  the  animal, 
seized  him,  and  mounted  him  instantly.  This  last 
was  the  work  of  a  moment.  He  forced  the  horse 
into  a  gallop,  plunged  down  the  bank  and  brought 
him  safely  over  to  the  American  camp,  although  a 
volley  of  musketry  was  fired  at  him  from  a  party 
posted  at  a  distance  beyond.  His  success  was  hailed 
with  enthusiasm,  and  it  had  a  corresponding  effect 
on  his  own  adventurous  spirit.  After  he  had  rested 
himself  he  went  to  his  officer  and  remarked,  that 
it  was  not  proper  that  a  private  should  ride  while 
his  commander  went  on  foot.  So,  sir,  added  he,  if 
you  have  no  objections  I  will  go  and  catch  another 
for  you,  and  next  winter  when  we  are  home,  we 
will  have  our  own  fun  in  driving  a  pair  of  Bur- 
goyne's  horses.  The  captain  seemed  to  think  it 
would  be  rather  a  pleasant  thing,  and  gave  a  ready 
consent.  The  fellow  actually  went  across  a  second 
time,  and  with  equal  success  brought  over  a  horse 


110          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

that  matched  exceedingly  well  with  the  other.     The 
*men  enjoyed  this  prank  very  much,  and  it  was  a 
circumstance  familiar  to  almost  every  one  in  the 
army  at  that  time. 

Another  circumstance  also  occurs  to  me,  which 
happened  at  the  same  period,  and  shows  that  fami- 
lies were  not  only  divided  in  feeling  on  the  subject 
of  the  war,  but  that  the  natural  ties  which  bind  the 
same  "kith  and  kin"  together  were  not  always 
proof  against  the  political  animosities  of  the  times. 
"When  Burgoyne  found  that  his  boats  were  not  safe, 
and  were  in  fact  much  nearer  the  main  body  of  our 
army  than  his  own,  it  became  necessary  to  land  his 
provisions,  of  which  he  had  already  been  short  for 
many  weeks,  in  order  to  prevent  his  being  actually 
starved  into  submission.  This  was  done  under  a 
heavy  fire  from  our  troops.  On  one  of  these  occa- 
sions a  person  by  the  name  of  Mr. ,  well 

known  at  Salem,  and  a  foreigner  by  birth,  and  who 
had  at  the  very  time  a  son  in  the  British  army, 
crossed  the  river  at  De  Ruyter's,  with  a  person  by 
the  name  of  M'Neil ;  they  went  in  a  canoe,  and 
arriving  opposite  to  the  place  intended,  crossed 
over  to  the  western  bank,  on  which  a  redoubt  called 
Fort  Lawrence  had  been  placed.  They  crawled  up 
the  bank  with  their  arms  in  their  hands,  and  peep- 
ing over  the  upper  edge,  they  saw  a  man  in  a  blanket 


'  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  Ill 

coat  loading  a  cart.  They  instantly  raised'  their 
guns  to  fire,  an  action  more  savage  than  commend- 
able. At  the  moment  the  man  turned  so  as  to  be 

more  plainly  seen,  when  old  M said  to  his 

companion,  "  Now  that's  my  own  son  Hughy,  but 
I'm  clom'd  for  a'  that  if  I  sill  not  gie  him  a  shot." 
He  then  actually  fired  at  his  own  son,  as  the  person 
really  proved  to  be,  but  happily  without  effect 
Having  heard  the  noise  made  by  their  conversation 
and  the  cocking  of  the  pieces,  which  the  nearness 
of  his  position  rendered  perfectly  practicable,  he 
ran  round  the  cart,  and  the  ball  lodged  in  the  felly 
of  the  wheel.  The  report  drew  the  attention  of 
the  neighboring  guards,  and  the  two  marauders 
were  driven  from  their  lurking  place.  While 
retreating  with  all  possible  speed,  M'Neil  was 
wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and,  if  alive,  carries  the 
wound  about  with  him  to  this  day.  Had  the  ball 
struck  the  old  Scotchman,  it  is  questionable  whether 
any  one  would  have  considered  it  more  than  even 
handed  justice  commending  the  chalice  to  his  own 
lips. 


[112] 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Burgoyne  had  been  obliged  to  remove  his 
goods  from  his  bateaux  to  the  shore,  and  that  under 
a  heavy  fire.  As  the  property  taken  from  the 
bateaux  was  often  left  near  the  water,  it  was 
rumored  among  our  people  that  large  quantities  of 
powder  were  slightly  guarded,  and  easily  accessible. 
My  father  was  a  keen  sportsman,  and  he  resolved 
to  go  up  the  river  and  obtain  some,  be  the  risk  what 
it  might.  He  started  with  two  companions  on 
horseback  at  about  11  o'clock  at  night,  and  forded 
the  river.  When  they  reached  the  shore  they  tied 
their  horses  together  and  went  up  the  bank,  near 
which,  it  was,  the  articles  were  left.  The  guard  was 
stationed  a  short  distance  from  them,  as  the  fire  of 
our  troops  from  across  the  river  was  too  heavy  to 
permit  them  to  remain  within  its  range.  Their  po- 
sition being  fixed,  it  was  not  changed  at  night  to 
prevent  confusion  in  their  own  camp  discipline. 
They  were  so  near  as  to  make  it  exceedingly  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous  to  approach  the  stores.  How- 
ever, the  three  adventurers  crept  up  the  bank  as 
silently  as  they  could,  approached  some  barrels 


KEVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES.          113 

which  contained  powder,  the  heads  of  which  were 
loose.  As  they  commenced  the  work  of  filling 
their  bags  they  wereliailed,  and  making  no  answer, 
were  fired  on  by  the  guard.  They  retreated  in- 
stantly down  the  bank,  mounted  their  horses,  and 
got  safely  oiF,  each  with  about  five  pounds  of  the  best 
British  powder.  It  was  hardly  enough  to  have  jus- 
tified the  attempt,  but  my  father  always  prized  his 
share  of  the  spoil  as  valuable  beyond  price.  Indeed, 
long  after  the  war  he-  retained  a  portion  of  it,  and  its 
excellent  qualities  were  appreciated  by  all  the  Leath- 
er-stockings of  our  neighborhood.  The  adventurers 
reached  home  safely  in  a  few  hours  after  they  started. 
I  will  not  describe  what  has  so  often  been  the 
subject  of  able  writers,  the  negotiations  that  took 
place  between  the  two  commanders  in  relation  to 
the  surrender.  The  leading  facts  are  well  known. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  the  British  army  was  distressed 
beyond  measure,  for  want  of  provisions  and  water. 
It  was  at  last  at  the  risk  of  life  itself  that  a  drop  of 
it  was  to  be  had.  The  poor  soldiers'  wives  alone 
ventured  within  reach  of  the  American  rifles,  to 
snatch  a  few  cups  full  from  the  river,  which  to  them 
seemed  watched  by  attendant  furies.  In  the  cele- 
brated memoirs  of  the  Baroness  Bledesel  she  men- 
tions that  to  one  poor  female  who  ventured  her  life 
in  this  way,  to  obtain  water  for  her,  some  other 
15 


114          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

females,  and  wounded  officers,  they  expressed  their 
gratitude  by  giving  her  twenty  guineas  as  soon  as  the 
surrender  took  place,  and  there  was  a  probability 
of  her  living  to  enjoy  the  donation. 

While  the  negotiations  were  going  on  I  saw 
Major  Wilkinson  go  out  with  a  flag  to  the  enemy 
on  the  memorable  occasion,  when  Burgoyne  impru- 
dently requested  permission  to  ascertain  whether 
the  militia  had  gone  off  the  field,  a  mere  excuse  for 
breaking  off  the  treaty  if  he  had  dared.  He  was  a 
fine  looking  young  man,  but  plainly  dressed  on  the 
occasion.  As  he  left  Gen.  Gates's  head  quarters 
I  happened  to  be  present,  being  constantly  (when  I 
could  be  so)  loitering  about  the  camp.  I  heard  the 
general  say  distinctly,  "Tell  Burgoyne  if  you  are 
not  back  in  an  hour  and  a  quarter  I'll  open  every 
battery  I  have  upon  him."  It  is  well  known  that 
the  time  elapsed,  and  two  hours  besides,  which  had 
been  asked  for  by  the  British  general,  to  take  the 
opinion  of  his  officers.  The  capitulation  took  place, 
or  rather  the  convention,  and  I  went  home  to  a  late 
dinner.  The  expectation  of  this  desirable  event 
had  filled  both  armies  with  a  disinclination  for  any 
further  bloodshed.  Any  other  termination  of  nego- 
tiations was  to  have  been  dreaded.  It  was  hailed 
with  universal  joy,  and  produced  the  happiest  con- 
sequences to  our  cause. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          115 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  the  manner  of  the 
sun-render  was  adjusted.  The  American  troops 
were  kept  within  their  lines,  out  of  motives  of  deli- 
cacy, while  the  British  troops  left  their  encamp- 
ment, marching  out  with  the  honors  of  war,  and 
forded  the  creek  on  their  way  to  the  verge  of  the 
river  where  their  arms  were  to  be  piled.  They 
were  obliged  to  march  through  the  water  for  the  very 
good  reason  that  they  had  destroyed  the  only 
bridge,  as  well  as  the  houses  and  mansion  of  Gen. 
Schuyler  in  the  neighborhood.  The  light  infantry 
waded  through  first,  and  their  clean  white  kersey- 
meres were  soon  soiled  with  mud  and  water.  They 
made  the  best  of  their  way  with  their  music  play- 
ing a  British  march  to  the  very  place  now  occupied 
by  the  canal  basin  in  Schuylerville.  Among  other 
things,  I  asked  a  British  officer  where  Burgoyne 
was.  He  very  politely  noticed  me,  although  I  was 
a  boy,  and  under  circumstances  that  did  not  pro- 
mise any  civility  from  the  mortified  English.  "He 
is  with  your  general,  I  believe."  At  this  time  my 
father,  near  whom  I  was,  and  a  Capt.  Knute,  ap- 
proached very  close  to  the  British  columns.  A 
British  officer,  as  they  came  nigh  him,  drew  his 
sword,  which  was  a  very  handsome  one,  and  in  the 
most  pettish  manner  possible,  presented  it  to  my 
father,  saying,  "You  damned  rebel,  take  this,  I  have 


116          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

no  more  use  for  it !"  Surprised  at  the  suddenness 
of  the  movement,  and  scarce  knowing  what  he  did, 
my  father  kept  it  in  his  hand  for  an  instant,  and 
before  he  recovered  himself  the  officer  was  gone. 
He  felt  extremely  awkward  with  it,  and  much  more 
so,  as  he  doubted  the  propriety  of  keeping  it  a 
moment.  His  companion  advised  him  to  put  it  in 
some  secure  spot  until  he  could  place  it  in  proper 
hands,  or  secure  it  as  a  memorial  for  himself  and 
his  posterity.  He  did,  as  he  supposed,  place  it  in 
security,  but  in  a  short  time  after  he  went  to  get 
the  trophy,  but  it  was  gone,  and  he  never  heard  any 
thing  more  of  it. 


[117] 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

W  HEX  I  heard  that  Burgoyne  was  at  head  quar- 
ters I  waited  no  longer  to  observe  the  march  of 
the  light  infantry,  but  ran  as  fast  as  I  could  to  reach 
the  marquee  of  Gen.  Gates,  now  doubly  interesting 
by  the  presence  of  the  captured  general.  Xear 
head  quarters  I  met  an  uncle  of  mine,  for  all  our 
family  and  all  the  neighbors  round  were  present 
on  this  memorable  occasion.  I  stopped  a  moment 
with  him  to  see  the  light  horse  that  were  now  parad- 
ing for  a  review,  preparatory  to  the  entry  of  the 
British  within  the  lines.  They  wore  blue  coats 
with  white  facings,  their  heads  were  covered  with 
bear  skin  caps  and  long  white  hair  streaming  in 
the  wind.  They  were,  on  the  whole,  well  dressed 
and  well  mounted.  My  uncle  bade  me  stop.  "  Re- 
main here,  there  is  mischief  doing  here,  I  have  just 
heard  one  of  the  men  say,  that  if  General  Schuyler 
shows  his  face  here,  he  will  put  a  brace  of  balls 
through  him."  Indeed,  he  was  so  much  alarmed, 
not  only  by  the  threat,  but  by  the  general  appear- 
ance of  things  in  the  corps,  that  he  had  resolved  to 
go  and  apprise  the  general  of  the  circumstances. 


118  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

f  Although  young,  I  gave  my  opinion  at  once,  that 

1  -^  Ms  going  would  be  unnecessary,  for  the  man  would 

not  dare  to  fire.     And  so  the  event  proved.    General 

/;  Schuyler  and  an  officer  with  him  approached  them  on 
his  favorite  white  horse  in  very  handsome  style,  and 
them  gave  the  passing  review,  as  military  etiquette 

,  prescribed.  He  then  commenced  addressing  the  men; 

< 

but  what  he  said  I  did  not  stay  to  hear,  as  I  was  sensi- 
ble only  to  the  overwhelming  interest  attached  to 
the  person  of  Burgoyne.  I  never  ascertained  what 

x.  Was  the  occasion  of  the  threat  just  related,  but 
/there  was  some  dislike  to  General  Schuyler  among 
jsome  of  the  eastern  troops,  that  neither  his  charac- 

<.ter,  conduct  nor  military  services  could  overcome. 
I  never  can  believe  that  he  was  in  fault.  As  I 
approached  General  Gates's  tent  I  perceived  three 
sentinels  in  front ;  I  asked  them  if  General  Bur- 
goyne was  there.  They  said  yes,  he  was  dining 
with  General  Gates.  I  then  asked  permission  to 
pass  within  the  lines.  They  gave  me  leave  with 
the  addition  of  a  compliment  for  my  being  a  little 
"Whig.  Eager  beyond  expression  for  a  glimpse  of 
the  man,  I  stood  at  the  side  of  the  tent  door  which 
now  and  then  opened  as  a  servant  passed  in  and  out. 
I  was  soon  gratified  by  closer  observation.  !N"ear 
me  there  was  an  officer  who  was  mounted  and  sta- 
tioned a  little  higher  up,  and  stood  ready  to  receive 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          119 

the  British  troops.  As  they  approached  the  lines 
of  our  camp,  and  were  coming  down  the  road  to 
pass  through  them,  our  men  were  paraded,  if  I 
remember  right,  opposite  the  place  where  they  were 
to  enter,  and  the  moment  they  stepped  foot  upon 
our  line  our  drums  and  music  struck  up  Yankee 
Doodle.  At  this  moment  the  two  generals  came 
out  of  the  marquee  together.  The  American  com- 
mander faced  the  road,  and  Burgoyne  did  the  same, 
standing  on  his  left.  Not  a  word  was  said  by  either, 
and  for  some  minutes,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection, 
they  stood  silently  gazing  on  the  scene  before  them. 
The  one,  no  doubt  in  all  the  pride  of  honest  suc- 
cess ;  the  other,  the  victim  of  regret  and  sensibility. 
Burgoyne  was  a  large  and  stoutly  formed  man,  his 
countenance  was  rough  and  hard,  and  somewhat 
marked  with  scars,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  but  he 
had  a  handsome  figure  and  a  noble  air.  Gates  was 
a  smaller  man  with  much  less  of  manner,  and  des- 
titute of  that  air  which  distinguished  Burgoyne. 
Presently  General  Burgoyne,  as  by  previous  under- 
standing, stepped  back,  drew  his  sword,  and  in  the 
face  of  the  two  armies,  as  it  were,  presented  it  to 
General  Gates,  who  received,  and  instantly  returned 
it  in  the  most  courteous  manner.  They  then 
returned  together  to  the  marquee.  Having  been 
fully  gratified  with  the  exhibition,  I  then  ran  up 


120          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

the  road  to  which  the  British  troops  were  filing  off, 
and  I  saw  the  whole  body  pass  before  me.  The 
light  infantry,  still  in  advance,  were  extraordinary 
men.  Finer  and  better  looking  troops  I  never 
saw.  They  were  not  seen  to  much  advantage,  how- 
ever, for  their  small-clothes  and  gaiters  having  been 
wet  in  the  creek,  the  dust  adhered  more  readily  to 
them  in  consequence.  Some  of  the  officers  were 
very  elegant  men.  Captain  Lord  Petersham,  aid 
to  General  Burgoyne,  Major  Kingston,  adjutant 
general,  Brigadier  General  Hamilton,  of  the  Eng- 
lish, were  pointed  out  to  me. 

The  Hessians  came  lumbering  in  the  rear.  When 
were  they  ever  in  advance  ?  Indeed  their  equip- 
ments prevented  such  an  anomaly.  Their  heavy 
caps  were  almost  equal  to  the  weight  of  the  whole 
equipment  of  a  light  infantry  soldier.  I  looked  at 
these  men  with  commiseration.  It  was  well  known 
that  their  services  had  been  sold  by  their  own  petty 
princes,  that  they  were  collected  together,  if  not 
caught  at  their  churches  while  attending  religious 
worship,  and  if  we  may  credit  the  account  given  us, 
they  were  actually  torn  from  their  homes  and 
handed  over  to  the  British  government  at  so  much 
a  head,  to  be  transported  across  the  ocean  and  wage 
war  against  a  people  of  whose  history  and  even  of 
whose  existence  they  were  ignorant.  They  were 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          121 

found  almost  totally  unfit  for  the  business  they  were 
engaged  in.  They  were  unable  to  march  through 
the  woods  and  encounter  the  difficulties  incident  to 
movements  in  our  then  almost  unsettled  country. 
Many  of  them  deserted  to  our  army  before  and 
after  the  convention  of  Saratoga.  Fifty  have  been 
known  to  come  over  in  one  party  before  the  sur- 
render. 

A  very  remarkable  disease  prevailed  among 
them,  if  the  accounts  of  some  respectable  officers 
attached  to  Burgoyne's  army  may  be  credited. 
While  on  their  way  down  from  Canada  a  presenti- 
ment would  take  possession  of  twenty  or  thirty  at 
a  time  that  they  were  going  to  die,  and  that  they 
would  never  again  see  their  fatherland.  The  im- 
pression could  not  be  effaced  from  their  minds, 
notwithstanding  every  exertion  of  their  officers  and 
the  administering  of  medical  remedies.  A  perfect 
maladie  du  pays,  a  home  sickness  of  the  most  fatal 
kind,  oppressed  their  spirits  and  destroyed  their 
health;  and  a  large  number  actually  died  of  this 
disorder  of  the  heart.  This  is  a  fact  too  well  estab- 
lished to  be  denied,  and  equals  anything  I  ever 
heard  related  of  the  Swiss.  Among  the  Germans 
that  now  passed  before  me  were  the  Hesse  Hanau 
regiment,  Riedesel's  dragoons,  and  Specht's  regi- 
ment, the  most  remarkable  of  the  whole.  The  offi- 
16 


122          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

cers  of  distinction  who  accompanied  them  were 
Major  General  Riedesel,  Quartermaster  General 
Gerlach,  Adjutant  General  Poelnitz,  Secretary 
Langemegen,  Brigadier  Gen.  Specht,  Brigadier 
General  Gall,  and  some  others.  The  Hessians  were 
extremely  dirty  in  their  persons,  and  had  a  collec- 
tion of  wild  animals  in  their  train  —  the  only  thing 
American  they  had  captured.  Here  you  saw  an 
artilleryman  leading  a  black  grizzly  bear,  who  every 
now  and  ther>  would  rear  upon  his  hind  legs  as  if 
he  were  tired  of  going  upon  all  fours,  or  occasionally 
growl  his  disapprobation  at  being  pulled  along  by 
his  chain.  In  the  same  manner  a  tamed  deer  would 
be  seen  tripping  lightly  after  a  grenadier.  Young 
foxes  were  also  observed  looking  sagaciously  at  the 
spectators  from  the  top  of  a  baggage  wagon,  or  a 
young  racoon  securely  clutched  under  the  arm  of  a 
sharp-shooter.  There  were  a  good  many  women 
accompanying  the  Germans,  and  a  miserable  look- 
ing set  of  oddly  dressed,  Gipsey  featured  females 
they  were. 

It  is  said  that  no  insults  were  offered  to  the  prison- 
ers as  they  marched  off,  and  they  were  grateful  for 
it.  However,  I  state  it  as  a  fact,  that  after  they  got 
out  of  the  camp  many  of  the  British  soldiers  were 
extremely  abusive,  cursing  the  rebels  and  their  own 
hard  fate.  On  the  other  hand,  at  the  extreme  end 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  123 

of  the  line,  among  the  spectators  and  camp  fol- 
lowers, there  was  some  reciprocating  of  these 
remarks  with  an  accompaniment  of  tin  pans.  This, 
however,  was  not  sufficiently  loud  to  be  much 
remarked.  The  troops  were  escorted  by  some  of 
our  eastern  militia,  and  crossed  the  river  at  Still- 
water. 


[124] 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

the  evening  of  the  surrender  a  number  of 
Indians  and  squaws,  the  relics  of  Burgoyne's  abo- 
riginal force,  were  brought  over  for  safe  keeping 
to  my  uncle's  farm,  and  quartered  under  a  strong 
guard  in  his  kitchen.  Without  this  precaution 
their  lives  would  not  have  been  safe  from  the  exas- 
perated militia.  The  murder  of  Miss  M'Crea  was 
but  one  of  a  number  of  their  atrocities  which  har- 
dened every  heart  against  them,  and  prevented  the 
plea  of  mercy  from  being  interposed  in  their  behalf. 
Among  these  savages  were  three  that  were  between 
six  and  seven  feet  in  height,  perfect  giants  in  form, 
and  possessing  the  most  ferocious  countenances  I 
ever  saw.  They  were  afterwards  sent  on  to  the 
northward,  and  discharged  upon  a  promise  not  to 
take  up  arms  again.  With  what  fidelity  they  kept 
their  word  I  never  learned. 

After  the  British  army  had  gone  detachments  of 
our  army  were  sent  on  to  the  south  to  prevent  the 
continuation  of  those  marauding  expeditions  on  the 
Hudson,  of  which  Esopus  will  long  be  the  sad 
memorial.  It  was  three  days  after  the  surrender 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          125 

that  our  camp  began  to  be  broken  up.  The  militia 
were  assiduous  in  exploring  the  fields  for  plunder 
and  the  concealed  treasures  of  the  vanquished. 
Immense  quantities  of  camp  furniture  and  frag- 
ments of  every  description  were  strewed  about,  and 
they  spoiled  the  Egyptians. 

Opposite  our  own  house  my  father  found  a  large 
number  of  hides,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of 
tallow.  This,  however,  neither  graced  his  store  nor 
greased  his  boots.  Our  friends,  the  irregulars, 
spared  him  the  trouble  of  carrying  them  home. 
They  obligingly  took  all  oif  with  them,  out  of 
friendship.  In  this  way  closed  the  evenffcul  history 
of  Saratoga.  Blood  and  carnage  were  succeeded 
by  success  and  plunder.  The  clouds  of  battle  rolled 
away,  and  discovered  hundreds  of  earnest  searchers 
after  the  relics  of  the  tented  field.  My  father  once 
more  commenced  the  labors  of  husbandman,  and 
after  preparing  his  ground  in  a  great  hurry,  and 
sowing  his  winter  wheat,  went  away  to  Albany  to 
bring  his  wife  home. 

I  will  mention  an  incident  that  occured  in 
relation  to  the  memorable  siege  of  Fort  Stanwix, 
which  shows  General  Schuyler's  fortitude  and  prow- 
ess in  moments  of  difficulty.  When  Colonel  Wil- 
lett  and  his  companion,  Lieutenant  Stockwell,  left 
the  fort  and  got  beyond  the  investing  party,  which 


126          KEVOLTJTIONAKY  REMINISCENCES. 

was  not  done  without  passing  through  sleeping 
groups  of  savages,  who  lay  with  their  arms  at  their 
side,  they  crossed  the  river,  and  found  some  horses 
running  wild  in  the  woods.  They  were  soon 
mounted,  and  with  the  aid  of  their  bark  bridles 
stripped  from  the  young  trees,  they  made  consider- 
able progress  on  their  journey.  It  is  well  known 
that  they  reached  Saratoga  and  begged  a  reinforce- 
/  ment.  General  Schuyler  called  a  council  of  his 
/  officers,  and  asked  their  advice.  It  is  not  generally 
known  that  he  was  opposed  by  them.  As  he  walked 
about  in  the  greatest  anxiety  urging  them  to  come 
to  his  opinion,  he  overheard  some  of  them  saying 
"  he  means  to  weaken  the  army."  The  emotions  of 
the  veteran  were  always  violent  at  the  recollection 
of  this  charge,  and  years  afterwards  I  have  seen  him 
ehed  tears  as  he  related  the  incident.  At  the  instant 
when  he  heard  the  remark,  he  found  that  he  had 
bitten  a  pipe,  which  he  had  been  smoking,  into 
several  pieces,  without  being  conscious  of  what  he 
had  done.  Indignantly  he  exclaimed,  "  Gentlemen, 
I  shall  take  the  responsibility  upon  myself;  where 
is  the  brigadier  that  will  take  command  of  the  relief? 
I  shall  beat  up  for  volunteers  to-morrow."  The 
brave,  the  gallant,  the  ill-fated  Arnold  started  up 
with  his  characteristic  quickness,  and  offered  to 
command  the  expedition.  In  the  morning  the  drum 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          127 

beat  for  volunteers,  and  two  hundred  hardy  fellows 
capable  of  withstanding  great  fatigue,  offered  their 
services  and  were  accepted.  The  result  of  his 
efforts  is  well  known,  a  stratagem  was  played  off 
upon  the  Tories  and  Indians,  which  left  St.  Leger 
no  alternative  but  a  hasty  retreat.  To  General 
Schuvler's  promptness  and  fearlessness,  therefore, 
due  credit  should  be  given. 

I  will  here  relate  an  anecdote  in  relation  to  this 
siege  which  I  heard  at  the  same  time,  and  which 
was  quite  current  among  our  people.  A  man  by 
the  name  of  Baxter,  who  resided  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  fort,  being  a  disaffected  man,  had  been  sent  to 
Albany  to  be  watched  by  the  committee  of  safety. 
Two  sons  of  his  remained  behind,  and  were 
extremely  industrious,  taking  every  opportunity  to 
keep  their  farm  in  order,  notwithstanding  its  being 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  hostile  parties.  They  were  so 
successful  and  so  little  disturbed  by  the  British, 
that  the  Americans  began  to  suspect  that  they  were 
on  too  good  terms  with  the  enemy.  Their  father's 
character  increased  the  suspicion.  One  day,  as  it 
subsequently  appeared,  one  of  the  sons  who  was 
working  with  a  wheel  plough  in  cutting  his  furrows, 
would  every  few  minutes  approach  a  fence  which 
was  between  him  and  the  enemy.  After  several 
turns  as  he  was  making  his  last  cut  across  the  field, 


128          ^REVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES. 

he  felt  his  hands  suddenly  grasped  with  violence. 
Impelled  by  a  natural  desire  to  escape,  he  jumped 
forwards,  and  seizing  his  plough  cleaver,  he  turned 
at  his  antagonist,  who  was  an  Indian,  and  felled  him 
to  the  ground.  But  a  second  approached,  and  with 
equal  dexterity  and  nerve,  he  dealt  a  second  blow, 
which  levelled  the  savage.  Both  were  stunned, 
their  heads  being  too  obvious  to  escape  the  terrible 
blow  of  the  plough  cleaver.  As  they  lay  on  the 
ground,  he  alternately  struck  them  over  their  heads 
with  all  his  might,  and  then  setting  his  horses  clear 
from  the  plough,  he  ran  to  the  fort  and  told  there 
what  had  happened.  His  tale  was  not  believed,  and 
when  he  offered  to  lead  them  to  the  spot,  they  sus- 
pected further  treachery.  They  detained  him  to 
abide  the  event,  and  sent  out  a  detachment  to  ascer- 
tain how  the  fact  was :  and  these  found  two  savages 
lying  dead  at  the  place  he  mentioned.  This  brave 
feat  procured  the  release  of  the  father,  and  indeed 
rescued  the  whole  family  from  the  imputation  of 
toryism  forever. 

But  to  return  to  our  domestic  movements.  Our 
family  was  once  more  reinstated  on  the  farm.  "We 
cut  the  grain  that  had  been  left  in  some  of  the  fields 
untouched,  and  foddered  our  cattle  on  it  during  the 
winter.  My  poor  mother  was  quite  unhappy  at  the 
loss  of  our  doors  and  windows,  and  the  sad  ruin 


* 

REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          129 

discoverable  in  everything  which  a  selfish  or  reck- 
less soldiery  could  convert  into  fuel,  or  carry  off  on 
either  side.  Still  it  was  our  home,  and  there  with 

"  Content,  our  constant  guest," 

we  were  happy  for  a  while  in  the  social  connections 
of  a  family,  tenderly  attached  to  each  other,  and  in 
the  cheerful  pursuit  of  avocations  to  which  we  had 
long  been  accustomed,  and  which  had  ever  been 
the  means  of  rewarding  us  with  health,  peace  and 
competence. 


17 


[130] 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

the  winter,  notwithstanding  the  utter 
annihilation  of  any  thing  like  a  regular  and  effec- 
tive force  by  the  capture  of  Burgoyne.  yet  the  coun- 
try was  considered  liable  to  the  incursions  of  small 
parties  of  the  enemy.  Among  other  things  the 
church  at  Saratoga  was  occupied  as  a  public  depot, 
and  the  commissary  in  addition  had  it  partitioned 
off  inside  and  lived  in  it.  Many  a  time  have  I 
seen  barrels  of  pork  and  beef  rolled  in  at  the  sacred 
porch,  which  so  often  had  been  proclaimed  the  gate 
of  Heaven.  One  of  the  evils  of  war  is  the  prever- 
sion  of  the  most  sacred  things  to  the  necessities  of 
the  moment.  In  Boston  the  famous  Old  South 
Church  was  converted  into  a  riding  school  by  the 
British  officers.  A  church  in  New  York  was  made 
a  prison  for  our  sick  and  captured  countrymen. 
The  conversion  of  the  church  at  Saratoga  into  a 
commissary's  store  was  the  only  instance  within 
my  knowledge  of  a  similar  voluntary  abuse  by  the 
Americans.  During  the  same  winter  General 
Schuyler  had  twenty  four  men  who  were  called  his 
life  'guard  constantly  in  attendance  at  his  residence ; 


EEVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  131 

and  if  I  am  right  in  my  recollection,  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  war. 

The  winter  passed  away  without  incident,  save 
one  or  two  feats  of  skill  as  a  huntsman,  shown  by 
my  father.  He  loved  to  range  the  woods  with  his 
rifle  in  hand,  and  all  who  ever  knew  him  gave  him 
great  applause  for  his  dexterity.  One  evening  dur- 
ing this  time  of  quiet  he  had  been  induced  to  set  a 
wolf  trap  in  consequence  of  some  suspicious  tracks 
in  the  snow,  and  certain  sounds  which  made  our 
hill  sides  vocal.  In  the  morning  we  went  out  to 
ascertain  the  result.  Behold  !  a  stout  wolf  was  in 
the  trap,  and  when  we  approached  he  cowed  before 
us,  evidently  aware  of  his  own  defenceless  situation. 
My  father  succeeded  at  some  risk  in  muzzling  him, 
and  I  joyously  lifted  up  trap,  wolf  and  all  on  my 
shoulders,  and  walked  off  home  with  them  to  the 
great  amusement  of  all  who  saw  me.  But  this  was 
the  first  and  last  ride  of  the  wolf  on  any  body's 
back.  He  was  condemned  to  death,  and  after  a 
short  respite,  rather  for  the  benefit  of  our  curiosity 
than  to  give  him  any  chance  of  escape,  he  was 
placed  in  a  proper  position,  and  at  the  first  fire  fell 
dead  on  the  trap. 

In  the  spring  following  these  events  we  went 
down  to  Bethlehem  and  brought  home  our  cattle 
that  had  wintered  there.  As  we  were  driving  them 


132          KEVOLUTIONAKY  REMINISCENCES. 

slowly  back,  and  as  we  entered  Albany  on  our 
return,  we  met  in  State  street  a  procession  of  novel 
character  moving  slowly  up  the  hill.  "We  perceived 
seven  persons  dressed  in  white,  and  soon  learned 
they  were  of  that  unfortunate  class  of  disaffected 
men,  who  to  bad  political  principles  had  added 
crimes  against  society,  which  even  a  state  of  war 
would  not  justify.  At  Schodack  they  had  distin- 
guished them  selves  by  a  series  of  desperate  acts  not 
to  be  patiently  endured  by  the  community,  and 
when  they  were  taken  prisoners  their  fate  seemed 
inevitable.  These  men  had  been  confined  for  some 
time  in  the  city  prison,  afterwards  known  as  the 
Old  Museum,  and  had  once  made  their  escape,  but 
only  to  enjoy  their  liberty  for  a  few  hours.  Indeed 
the  whole  city  was  under"arms  when  we  saw  them 
moving  to  the  fatal  spot  where  they  were  to  suffer. 
The  public  indignation  was  also  much  excited  by  . 
their  conduct  in  prison,  and  the  circumstances 
attending  their  being  brought  to  suffer  the  sentence 
of  the  law.  They  were  confined  in  the  right  hand 
room  of  the  lower  story  of  the  prison.  The  door 
of  their  appartment  swung  in  a  place  cut  out  lower 
than  the  level  of  the  floor.  "When  the  sheriff  came 
to  take  them  out  he  found  the  door  barricaded. 
He  procured  a  heavy  piece  of  timber,  with  which 
he  in  vain  endeavored  to  batter  down  the  door, 


REVOLUTIONAHY  EEMINISCENCES.  133 

although  he  was  assisted  in  the  operation  by  some 
very  athletic  and  willing  individuals.  During  the 
attempt  the  voice  pf  the  prisoners  were  heard 
threatening  death  to  those  who  persevered  in  the 
attempt,  with  the  assertion  that  they  had  laid  a  train 
of  powder  to  blow  up  themselves  and  their  assailants. 
Indeed  it  was  well  ascertained  that  a  quantity  of 
powder  had  passed  into  their  possession,  but  how, 
could  not  be  known. 

It  was  afterwards  found  placed  under  the  floor 
and  arranged  to  produce  the  threatened  resuljt.  The 
sheriff  could  not  effect  his  entrance,  while  a  crowd 
of  gazers  looked  on  to  see  the  end  of  this  singu- 
lar contest.  Some  one  suggested  the  idea  of  getting 
to  them  through  the  ceiling,  and  immediately  went 
to  work  to  effect  a  passage  by  cutting  a  hole  through. 
While  this  was  going  on  the  prisoners  renewed 
their  threats,  with  vows  of  vengeance  speedy,  awful 
and  certain.  The  assailants,  however,  persevered, 
and  as  I  was  informed,  and  never  heard  contra- 
dicted, procured  a  tire-engine,  and  placed  it  so  as 
to  introduce  the  hose  suddenly  to  the  hole  in  the 
ceiling,  and  at  a  signal  inundated  the  room  beneath. 
This  was  dexterously  performed.  The  powder  and 
its  train  were  in  an  instant  rendered  useless.  Still, 
however,  to  descend  was  the  difficulty,  as  but  one 
person  could  do  so  at  a  time.  The  disproportion 


134          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

of  physical  strength  that  apparently  awaited  the 
first  intruder,  prevented  for  some  time  any  further 
attempt.  At  last  an  Irishman,  hy  the  name  of  Mc- 
Dole,  who  was  a  merchant,  exclaimed,  "  Give  me 
an  Irishman's  gun,  and  I  will  go  first."  He  was 
provided  instantly  with  a  formidable  cudgel,  and 
with  this  in  his  hand  he  descended,  and  at  the  same 
moment  in  which  he  struck  the  floor,  he  levelled 
the  prisoner  near  him,  and  continued  to  lay  about 
him  valiantly  until  the  room  was  filled  with  a 
strong  party  of  citizens  who  came  to  his  assistance 
through  the  hole  in  the  ceiling.  After  a  hard 
struggle  they  were  secured,  and  the  door  which 
had  been  barricaded  by  brick  taken  from  the  fire- 
place was  opened. 

They  were  almost  immediately  taken  out  for 
execution,  and  the  mob  was  sufficiently  exasperated 
to  have  instantly  taken  their  punishment  into  their 
own  hands.  The  prisoners  seemed  to  me  when 
moving  up  the  hill  to  wear  an  air  of  great  gloom 
and  ill  nature.  No  one  appeared  to  pity  them,  and 
their  own  hopes  of  being  released  by  some  for- 
tunate circumstance,  as  by  the  intervention  of  the 
enemy,  was  now  banished  forever. 

They  arrived  in  a  few  minutes  at  the  summit  of 
the  hill,  near  or  at  the  very  place  now  covered  with 
new  and  elegant  edifices,  north  and  east  of  the 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  135 

Academy,  and  there  upon  one  gallows  of  rude  con- 
struction they  ended  their  miserable  lives  together. 
This  scene  is  indelibly  impressed  upon  my  memory. 
"What  I  saw  I  can  vouch  for,  and  I  believe  the  cir- 
cumstances I  have  related  are  correct.  The  trans- 
action created  great  excitement,  and  was  consid- 
ered by  the  Tories  as  a  cruel  and  unnecessary  waste 
of  life,  and  a  sacrifice  to  the  unnatural  feelings 
which  had  dictated  the  unhappy  rebellion.  By 
the  "Whigs  it  was  considered  as  a  necessary  example 
demanded  by  the  nature  of  the  times  and  the 
enormity  of  the  offences  they  had  committed,  and 
they  considered  it  not  only  a  justifiable,  but  an 
imperious  necessity  to  inflict  upon  the  offenders  the 
full  penalties  of  the  law.  "We  witnessed  the  execu- 
tion, and  then  set  out  for  home. 


[136] 


CHAPTER  XXVHI. 

JJL  AVIISTG  returned  home,  we  continued  our  agri- 
cultural labors  with  unceasing  diligence.  During 
the  season  we  were  continually  harrassed  by  alarms 
—  our  days  were  filled  with  care,  and  our  nights 
were  passed  in  anxiety.  A  part  of  the  First  New 
York  (Van  Schaick's)  regiment,  if  I  remember 
right,  was  sent  for  our  protection.  The  troops  were 
under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel Van  Dyke.  Colonel  Van  Schaick  was  in  com- 
mand at  Albany,  and  not  in  the  field.  A  cancer  in 
his  face,  which  was  in  consequence  of  a  wound 
received  in  the  French  war,  confined  him  at  this 
time  to  garrison  duty.  He  always  sincerely  regret- 
ted this  misfortune,  not  so  much  for  its  personal 
inconvenience,  as  on  account  of  its  obliging  him  to 
be  sometimes  absenlfrom  his  regiment.  This  gen- 
tleman I  well  knew.  He  had  at  an  early  period 
made  the  camp  his  school ;  and  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen he  was  appointed  a  lieutenant  by  Sir  Jeffrey 
Amherst,  who  was  the  personal  friend  of  his  father, 
the  then  mayor  of  Albany.  He  went  through  his 
full  proportion  of  active  and  dangerous  service 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          137 

during  the  celebrated  expedition  of  that  general. 
When  the  revolutionary  war  commenced,  and  the 
first  Albany  militia-  were  called  out  to  organize, 
there  was  a  general  request  made  to  him  by  the 
citizens  of  Albany  to  take  command  of  them  and 
direct  the  drill.  When  the  New  York  regiment 
was  raised  he  received  the  command  with  univer- 
sal approbation.  He  was  ordered  by  General  Schuy- 
ler  to  take  command  of  Fort  George  in  1775.  He 
was  present  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  one  of  the 
most  warmly  contested  actions  of  the  revolution. 
His  subsequent  command  was  at  Fort  Schuyler  in 
1778,  when  it  was  in  constant  danger.  His  con- 
duct in  his  expedition  at  the  head  of  five  hundred 
men  into  the  Indian  country,  which  I  shall  again 
allude  to,  crowned  with  the  most  complete  success, 
and  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man,  has  always 
been  considered  a  masterly  movement,  and  by  none 
more  so  than  by  those  who  were  with  him  and  wit- 
nessed his  soldierlike  movements.  He  was  also 
commanding  officer  at  Albany  in  1779.  A  patriot 
as  well  as  a  soldier,  he  often  supplied  the  wants  of 
his  men  from  his  private  purse  to  his  own  injury.1 
Many  testimonials  of  high  respect  and  considera- 
tion coming  from  the  first  men  of  those  times  are 
yet  preserved  in  his  family.  He  was  promoted  at 

1  See  appendix. 

18 


138          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

the  close  of  the  war  to  the  rank  of  brigadier,  with 
the  public  approbation  of  Washington. 

During  this  summer  Colonel  Quackenboss,  of 
the  quartermaster's  department,  came  up  to  Sara- 
toga with  boats  and  proper  equipments  to  search 
for  cannon,  which  Burgoyne  was  supposed  to  have 
sunk  in  the  river  between  Saratoga  falls  and  our 
farm.  My  father  assisted  on  this  occasion.  The 
sight  was  a  picturesque  one.  A  little  squadron  of 
boats  well  manned,  and  communicating  with  the 
quartermaster  general  every  few  minutes,  gave  life 
and  animation  to  the  scene.  The  search  proved 
fruitless,  no  cannon  rewarded  their  toil.  One  of 
the  men  in  the  boat,  of  which  my  father  was  cap- 
tain, discovered  that  his  pole  touched  something 
round  and  large.  Every  eye  was  stretched  to  look 
at  it  as  the  water  was  not  deep  at  the  spot.  In  a 
few  moments  several  men  were  stripped  and  wading 
about  the  supposed  treasure,  and  the  proper  ropes 
Boon  adjusted.  It  was  hauled  up  into  the  bateau, 
and  proved  to  be  a  barrel  of  smoked  hams  of  the 
best  quality,  and  not  injured  in  the  least,  being 
packed  in  a  tight  vessel.  They  were  carried  to  the 
house  for  further  examination.  One  of  them  was 
prepared  for  our  dinner,  but  some  of  the  family 
were  very  much  afraid  of  eating  it.  Burgoyne's 
hams  were  thought  as  hostile  as  his  troops ;  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  139 

they  considered  it  a  hazardous  attempt  to  eat  what 
might  have  been  poisoned.  At  dinner  it  was  served 
up,  and  when  Colonel  Quackenboss  had  eaten  of  it, 
and  was  told  it  was  one  of  Burgoyne's  hams,  his 
knife  and  fork  dropped  from  his  hands.  However, 
the  ham  was  soon  demolished,  and  the  gratification 
of  the  eaters  was  not  diminished  by  any  further 
alarms  as  to  its  quality.  Before  I  dismiss  the  sub- 
ject of  the  cannon  I  ought  to  mention  that  a  militia 
captain  from  Schenectady,  by  the  name  of  Clute, 
while  swimming  near  the  very  same  place,  the  same 
summer,  discovered  a  small  brass  howitzer.  With 
the  aid  of  some  of  the  neighboring  farmers  he  had 
it  drawn  on  terra  firma,  and  found  that  his  prize 
was  valuable.  He  immediately  sold  it  to  the  gov- 
ernment for  a  handsome  sum,  and  it  was  forthwith 
dragged  to  the  barracks. 

One  of  our  neighbors,  a  Colonel  Van  Yechten, 
who  lived  about  three  miles  below  the  barracks,  had 
a  narrow  escape  about  the  same  time.  He  was  in 
the  habit  of  riding  from  his  own  house  up  to  General 
Schuyler's  and  to  the  barracks,  in  order  to  receive 
and  communicate  intelligence.  Those  acquainted 
with  the  road  well  remember  the  ravine  and  creek 
just  before  you  reach  the  church.  In  this  ravine, 
concealed  behind  the  trees,  a  Tory  placed  himself  to 
shoot  Van  Vechten  as  he  passed,  who  had  rendered 


140          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

himself  obnoxious  to  the  partisans  of  the  English, 
by  his  constant  assiduity  in  the  service  of  his 
country.  As  he  approached,  mounted  on  his  favor- 
ite grey,  the  assassin  raised  his  gun  to  fire.  His 
finger  was  on  the  trigger,  when,  as  he  afterwards 
confessed,  the  bold  and  manly  air  which  Van 
Vechten  possessed,  joined  to  his  unsuspecting  man- 
ner, unnerved  his  arm.  The  weapon  of  death  fell 
from  its  position,  and  Colonel  Van  Vechten  rode 
by  unharmed.  It  so  happened,  however,  that  an 
alarm  which  was  given  while  he  was  at  Saratoga  in 
relation  to  a  body  of  Indians  and  Tories  who  had 
arrived  in  the  neighborhood,  induced  him  to  take 
the  river  road  on  his  way  home,  and  to  give  it  the 
preference  always  afterwards.  I  mention  this  anec- 
dote to  show  the  individual  danger  incurred  in  those 
times  in  particular  places,  which  seemed  in  no  way 
to  subside  with  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  war. 


[141] 


CHAPTER  "renr. 

J-  CAXN"OT  omit  on  this  occasion  to  avail  myself 
of  the  opportunity  offered  by  circumstances  of  a 
peculiar  kind,  of  relating  in  detail  the  particulars  of 
Colonel  Van  Schaick's  expedition  against  the  Onon- 
dagas,  derived  from  a  source  which  I  know  to  be 
correct,  and  by  access  to  private  papers  of  a  most 
interesting  kind.  My  readers  may  put  full  confi- 
dence in  the  narrative. 

As  I  have  already  mentioned,  the  defeat  of  Bur- 
goyne  did  not  free  the  frontier  of  this  state  from 
the  most  harrassing  alarms.  Sir  John  Johnson  and 
the  famous  Brant,  assisted  by  the  Senecas  and  the 
upper  nations,  were  constantly,  during  this  year 
and  the  following,  engaged  in  the  detestable  pursuit 
of  plunder,  in  firing  settlements,  in  taking  scalps, 
and  murdering  defenceless  women  and  children. 
So  complete  was  the  terror  excited  by  their  move- 
ments that  at  one  time  our  disheartened  citizens 
were  on  the  point  of  abandoning  their  homes  for- 
ever. In  the  words  of  Colonel  Van  Sohaick,  in  an 
official  letter  to  General  "Washington, "  Schenectady, 
under  present  circumstances,  must  inevitably  become 


142          [REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

our  frontier  settlement."  The  expeditions  of  Gen- 
eral Sullivan  and  General  James  Clinton,  one  of 
the  bravest  and  most  resolute  of  soldiers,  had  their 
effect  in  one  quarter,  while  that  of  Colonel  Van 
Schaick  was  also  productive  of  the  best  con  sequences 
in  another.  The  Onondagas  had  become  so  faith- 
less as  to  act  in  alliance  with  the  English,  and  from 
their  position  were  of  immense  detriment  to  our 
cause.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  April,  1779, 
Fort  Schuyler  was  a  scene  of  busy  preparation. 
After  long  continued  inaction,  which  was  only  inter- 
rupted by  partial  skirmishes  between  our  foragers 
and  the  Indians  that  continually  hung  about  the 
fort,  orders  were  given  to  the  men  to  prepare  for 
their  departure.  It  was  an  early  hour,  while  the 
fog  and  grey  mist  of  the  morning  in  some  measure 
concealed  their  movements,  that  the  detachment 
sallied  forth,  consisting  of  558  men,  including 
officers.  Colonel  Van  Schaick,  the  gallant  Mar- 
inus  Willett,  then  lieutenant  colonel  and  Major 
Cochran,  were  the  field  officers  of  the  detachment. 
They  were  accompanied  by  29  bateaux,  into  which 
were  placed  provisions  for  eight  days,  and  which 
were  on  the  previous  night  cautiously  and  skillfully 
removed  over  the  carrying  place  into  "Wood  creek. 
A  sufficient  number  of  soldiers  with  five  officers 
were  left  in  charge  with  them  to  assist  the  bateau 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  143 

men  and  hurry  them  on.  The  others  pushed  on 
smartly  to  the  old  scow  place,  as  it  was  called,  twenty- 
two  miles  by  land  from  the  fort.  They  reached 
this  place  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  hut  the 
distance  being  greater  by  water,  the  boats  did  not 
all  arrive  until  10  o'clock  at  night.  Indeed,  the 
numerous  obstructions  offered  by  the  trees  which 
had  fallen  into  the  creek  were  of  themselves  very 
formidable  difficulties,  overcome  only  by  the  deter- 
mined spirit  of  the  men.  As  soon  as  the  boats 
reached  the  place  of  rendezvous  the  troops  were 
all  instantly  embarked,  and  the  flotilla  moved 
toward  Oneida  lake.  Once  in  the  night  the  boats 
in  front  were  ordered  to  lie  too  while  those  in  the 
rear  came  up.  A  cold  dreary  head  wind  made  their 
progress  slow  and  tedious,  but  the  oars  were  plied 
with  unremitting  diligence.  It  was  not  until  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning  that  they  arrived  in  Desser's 
bay,  where  the  bateaux  were  again  to  rendezvous. 
The  detachment  then  moved  forward  with  as  much 
expedition  as  possible  for  the  Onondaga  landing  at 
the  head  of  the  lake  and  opposite  old  Fort  Brewer- 
ton,  where  they  arrived  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  The 
boats  were  then  left  at  that  place  under  a  proper 
guard,  and  the  detachment  pushed  forward  toward 
the  enemy.  Nine  miles,  however,  was  all  the  dis- 
tance achieved  during  the  remainder  of  the  day. 


144  B EVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

The  night  was  a  dark  and  cold  one  —  the  heavens 
gathered  blackness,  and  the  men  could  fancy  with- 
out the  aid  of  very  lively  imaginations,  that  the  woods 
teemed  with  savages,  ready  to  fall  upon  them.  In- 
deed, the  movements  of  the  hostile  Indians,  aided 
by  powerful  bands  of  Tories  and  refugees  under  the 
command  of  Johnson  and  Brant,  had  been  marked 
by  such  fatal  celerity,  as  to  leave  room  for  appre- 
hension at  every  assailable  point  throughout  the 
western  wilderness.  The  troops,  therefore,  lay  on 
their  arms  all  night,  and  were  not  permitted  to  light 
their  evening  fires.  Silently  were  the  watches 
kept,  and  with  but  few  words  the  wearied  soldier 
partook  of  his  evening  meal.  Silence  and  secrecy 
were  indeed  indispensible  to  the  success  of  the  ex- 
pedition, and  the  soldier  of  two  wars,  who  was 
responsible  for  its  success,  made  every  arrangement 
with  j  udgment. 

Early  the  next  day,  as  soon  as  it  was  practicable 
to  proceed,  the  detachment  moved  on  to  the  Salt 
lake,  since  so  celebrated  for  the  villages  that  adorn 
its  shores,  the  wealth  poured  into  the  coffers  of 
individuals,  and  for  its  salines  more  precious  than 
mines  of  gold.  At  nine  o'clock  they  reached  an 
arm  of  the  lake.  This  was  forded  at  a  place  where 
the  distance  was  two  hundred  yards  across,  and  the 
depth  of  the  water  was  for  most  of  the  distance  four 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  145 

feet.  The  men,  however,  marched  in  good  order 
through,  and  pushed  on  with  redoubled  speed  to 
the  Onbndaga  creek. "  Here  it  was  that  a  warrior 
of  that  celebrated  tribe  was  captured  by  Captain 
Graham,  who  commanded  a  light  infantry  company. 
He  was  the  first  Indian  discovered,  and  was  instantly 
taken.  Had  he  escaped  the  result  of  the  expedi- 
tion would  have  been  somewhat  uncertain.  At  this 
point  it  was  that  arrangements  were  enade  to  effect 
a  complete  surprise.  Captain  Graham  was  ordered 
on  in  advance  to  attack  the  nearest  settlement  of 
the  Indians  only  two  miles  distant,  while  the  old  colo- 
nel hurried  his  men  by  companies  as  fastas  they  could 
cross  a  creek  on  a  log  (which  fortunately  served  as 
a  bridge),  where  the  stream  was  not  fordable.  One 
by  one  the  troops  passed  over  in  safety.  The  cir- 
cumstance of  this  log  remaining  in  its  place  over 
the  stream  is  a  remarkable  one ;  it  was  of  immense 
service,  and  obviated  the  delay  of  seeking  a  place 
to  ford  at  a  critical  moment.  It  was  the  redman's 
Thermopylae.  On  this  occasion  a  few  could  have 
kept  off  our  troops,  for  a  time  at  least,  which  might 
have  enabled  their  warriors  to  rally  if  not  to  defeat 
the  expedition.  It  allowed  the  commander  to  get 
into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  country  before  they 
were  apprised  of  his  coming.  The  careless  shout- 
ing of  soldiers  on  similar  occasions,  and  the  heed- 
19 


146          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

less  discharge  of  fire  arms  would  have  led  the  wary 
and  powerful  Onondagas  to  a  knowledge  of  their 
impending  danger. 

The  advance  of  Captain  Graham  could,  however, 
be  no  longer  concealed,  when  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
castle  he  was  employed  in  making  prisoners.  When 
the  whole  detachment  arrived  at  this  place,  which 
was  the  principal  town,  situated  in  the  hollow,  and 
was  large  and  well  peopled,  the  alarm  spread.  Con- 
cealment of  their  purpose  was  no  longer  possible. 
The  Indians  gave  away  on  all  sides,  making  for  the 
woods.  Colonel  Van  Schaick  then  dispatched  dif- 
ferent parties  by  different  routes  to  get  in  the  rear 
of  their  other  settlements,  which  were  scattered 
over  in  different  directions  eight  miles,  and  they 
were  ordered  to  move  on  with  the  greatest  dispatch. 
The  alarm  spread,  however,  in  spite  of  every  pre- 
vious precaution,  but  such  was  the  haste  in  which 
they  fled,  and  such  was  the  ardor  with  which  they 
were  pursued,  that  they  had  not  time  to  carry  off  a 
single  article.  Thirty-three  savages  were  captured 
and  twelve  killed  in  the  melee.  One  white  man 
was  also  taken  prisoner.  The  whole  of  their  settle- 
ments were  destroyed,  and  upwards  of  fifty  of  their 
best  houses  burned.  A  large  quantity  of  corn  and 
beans  was  also  given  to  the  flames.  A  hundred 
English  muskets,  a  few  rifles  and  some  uncommonly 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          147 

fine  horses,  together  with  other  animals,  were 
among  the  booty.  Hard  as  was  the  task,  and  severe 
the  punishment,  yet  it  was  judged  necessary  to  put 
the  cattle  to  death,  and  the  horses  were  shot  with- 
out hesitation.  This  act  of  severity  was  a  blow 
which  the  Onondagas  long  remembered.  A  con- 
siderable quantity  of  ammunition  was  found  at  the 
council  house.  After  the  men  had  loaded  them- 
selves with  as  much  spoil  as  they  could  carry,  the 
residue  was  doomed  to  destruction  and 

"  The  wide  field,  a  waste  of  ruin  made/' 

The  detachment  then  drew  off  and  commenced 
their  return.  In  crossing  the  creek,  however,  a 
party  of  Indians,  who  had  arrived  there  during 
their  absence,  fired  upon  them  unexpectedly  from 
the  opposite  side.  Lieutenant  Evans  was  ordered 
to  beat  them  off  with  his  riflemen,  which  he  effected 
in  very  gallant  style  without  any  loss. 

The  weather,  during  this  day,  was  propitious. 
The  next  day  the  troops  reached  the  place,  and, 
finding  theirboats  in  good  order,  sailed  to  the  Seven- 
mile  island,  where  the  troops  encamped,  and  had 
time  to  rest  themselves  after  their  great  fatigue.  A 
more  picturesque  bivouac  never  was  witnessed. 
The  lake  was  quiet.  Its  calmness  was  in  keeping 
with  the  hour,  the  gratification  of  success  and  the 


148  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

anxiety  for  repose.  The  evening  fires  threw  their 
blaze  of  light  over  the  waters,  and  communicated 
warmth  and  comfort  to  the  sleeping  groups  around. 
There  was  one  who  surveyed  the  scene  with  unmin- 
gled  satisfaction.  He  had  accomplished  the  desira- 
ble object  for  which  he  had  been  selected,  and  by 
a  bold  stroke  had  broken  down  the  strength  of  the 
most  powerful  tribe  of  all  the  Indian  nations. 
Numerous  and  warlike,  they  had  filled  the  country 
with  alarm,  and  the  cabins  of  the  white  men  with 
blood.  It  was  the  opinion  of  General  Schuyler, 
that  had  not  something  been  done  at  this  crisis  we 
should  not  have  had  a  settlement  beyond  Schenec- 
tady.  Nor  were  the  emotions  which  belonged  to 
the  hour,  those  of  the  more  obvious  feelings  of 
conquest.  The  recollection  that  all  had  been 
accomplished  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man  was 
a  source  of  pleasure  that  surpassed  the  excitement 
of  pride  and  the  flush  of  victory.  The  next  day 
the  detachment  crossed  the  lake  and  landed  two 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  "Wood  creek,  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  while  two  companies 
were  left  to  guard  the  bateau  men  in  their  naviga- 
tion up  the  creek,  the  remainder  of  the  detachment 
marched  eight  miles  further  and  encamped  for  the 
night  on  the  banks  of  Fish  creek.  The  next  day 
several  showers  of  rain  impeded  their  progress  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  149 

the  fort,  but  notwithstanding,  the  troops  arrived 
there  at  noon,  after  an  absence  of  five  days,  and  a 
journey  of  180  miles. 

The  thanks  of  congress  were  voted  to  Colonel 
Van  Schaick  on  this  occasion,  and  to  his  brave 
companions,  to  whom,  in  his  official  report,  he  de- 
clared he  was  "  under  peculiar  obligations  "  for  their 
cheerfulness  "  throughout  a  severe  and  laborious 
march,  and  for  the  truly  determined  spirit "  shown 
by  them  on  the  occasion. 


[150] 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

JL.T  was  but  a  short  time  after  Colonel  Van 
Schaick's  expedition  that  the  Oneidas  appeared  in 
all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  an  embassy  at 
the  fort,  to  enquire  into  the  reasons  of  the  expedi- 
tion, and  perhaps  with  secret  instructions  from  the 
Onondagas,  to  threaten  or  conciliate  the  Americans, 
as  circumstances  should  permit.  Their  orator  was 
Priest  Peter,  as  he  was  then  called ;  and  the  famous 
Skenandoah,  the  principal  sachem,  was  present. 
The  interpreter,  Mr.  Dean,  followed  the  speaker 
with  these  words : 

"Brother,  you  see  before  you  some  of  your  friends, 
the  Oneidas;  they  come  to  see  you.  The  engage- 
ments that  have  been  entered  into  between  us  and 
our  brothers,  the  Americans,  are  well  known  to  you. 

""We  were  much  surprised,  a  few  days  ago,  by  the 
news  which  a  warrior  brought  to  our  castle  with  a 
war  shout,  informing  us  that  our  friends,  the  Onon- 
dagas, were  destroyed. 

"  We  were  desirous  to  see  you  on  this  occasion,  as 
they  think  you  might  have  been  mistaken  in  de- 
stroying that  part  of  the  tribe. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  151 

"  We  suppose  you  cannot  answer  us  upon  this 
subject,  as  the  matter  was  agreed  upon  below.  But 
perhaps  you  may  know  something  of  this  matter. 

"  When  we  heard  of  this  account  we  sent  back 
word  to  our  friends  remaining  among  them,  telling 
them  not  to  be  pale  hearted  because  some  of  them 
were  destroyed,  but  to  keep  up  with  their  former 
engagements. 

"We  sent  off  some  of  our  people  to  Canasaraga, 
to  invite  them  to  our  village,  but  they  returned  an 
answer  that  they  had  sent  some  of  their  own  run- 
ners to  Onondaga  to  learn  the  particulars,  and  they 
waited  for  their  return. 

"  Our  people  brought  for  answer,  that  they  were 
much  obliged  to  their  children,  the  Oneidas,  for 
attending  to  them  in  their  distresses,  and  they  would 
be  glad  if  they  would  speak  smoothly  to  their  breth- 
ren, the  Americans,  to  know  whether  all  this  was 
done  by  design  or  by  mistake. 

"  If  it  was  a  mistake,  say  they,  we  hoped  to  see  our 
brethren,  the  prisoners — if  by  design,  we  still  will 
keep  our  engagements  with  you,  and  not  join  the 
king's  party.  But  if  our  brethren,  the  Americans, 
mean  to  destroy  us  also,  we  will  not  fly  —  we  will 
wait  here  and  receive  our  death. 

"Brother,  this  was  the  answer  of  the  Onondagas. 
As  for  us,  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras,  you  know 


152          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

our  sentiments.  We  have  supposed  we  knew 
yours. 

"The  commissioners  promised  us  that  when  they 
found  any  thing  wrong  they  would  tell  us  and 
make  it  right. 

"  Brother,  if  we  have  done  any  thing  wrong,  we 
shall  now  be  glad  if  you  will  now  tell  us  so." 

The  grunt  of  the  sachems  echoed  back  their  ap- 
probation to  the  speaker,  as  he  gracefully  threw  his 
mantle  over  his  arm  and  sat  down. 

Colonel  Van  Schaick  then  arose,  and  stepping 
forward,  replied  as  follows : 

"I  am  glad  to  see  my  friends,  the  Oneidas  and 
Tuscaroras.  I  perfectly  remember  the  engagements 
the  Five  nations  entered  into  four  years  ago,  and 
that  they  promised  to  preserve  a  strict  and  honora- 
ble neutrality  during  the  present  war,  which  was  all 
we  asked  them  to  do  for  us. 

"  But  I  likewise  know  that  all  of  them,  except  our 
brethren,  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras,  broke  their 
engagements  and  flung  away  the  chain  of  friendship. 

"  But  the  Onondagas  have  been  great  murderers  ; 
we  have  found  the  scalps  of  our  brothers  at  their 
castle. 

"They  were  cut  off,  not  by  mistake,  but  by  design. 
I  was  ordered  to  do  it  —  and  it  is  done. 

"  As  for  the  other  matters  of  which  you  speak,  I 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  153 

recommend  a  deputation  to  the  commissioners  at 
Albany.  I  am  not  appointed  to  treat  with  you  on 
those  subjects. 

"  I  am  a  warrior  —  my  duty  is  to  obey  the  orders 
which  they  send  me." 

My  readers  will  perceive  that  the  answer  was  as 
judicious  as  the  appeal  had  been  artful. 

The  next  season  the  troops  at  Saratoga  were 
ordered  to  move  to  Albany,  and  I  was  once  more 
employed  in  assisting  them  to  remove.  Prepared 
with  a  good  lunch  and  recommended  to  the  colonel's 
protection,  I  fell  in  as  near  him  as  my  baggage 
wagon  was  permitted,  which  did  not  suit  the  ideas 
of  the  wagon  master.  Why  this  petty  tyranny  was 
exercised  over  me  I  never  knew,  but  he  endea- 
vored to  throw  me  out  the  line  by  every  mano3uvre 
that  his  abilities  were  equal  to.  One  morning, 
after  vexing  me  by  every  means  in  his  power,  he 
came  near  enough  to  me  to  enable  me  to  retaliate,  and 
I  lost  no  time  in  executing  my  intention.  One  of  the 
horses  which  I  drove  had  been  taught  to  rear,  when- 
ever commanded  to  do  so  in  the  name  of  congress. 
As  the  wagon  master  approached,  I  cried  out,  "Do 
you  exercise  your  authority  in  name  of  congress?" 
giving  the  sound  its  usual  emphasis.  In  an  instant 
the  sagacious  animal  reared  up  and  struck  my  per- 
secutor a  blow  with  his  fore  feet  which  sent  him 
20 


154          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

staggering  away,  and  left  me  for  some  hours  in  peace 
and  quietness. 

It  was  on  our  way  down  when  we  reached  the 
place  now  -  known  by  the  name  of  Gibbonsville,1 
where  we  waited  the  crossing  of  the  troops  who  had 
marched  down  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  for  we 
had  crossed  the  sprout  of  the  Mohawk,  I  observed 
the  infliction  of  corporeal  punishment.  One  of  the 
men  who  had  disobeyed  some  particular  order  was 
struck  by  his  commanding  officer,  a  Capt.  Leonard 
B.  The  soldier  resisted,  and  defended  himself 
quite  valiantly  with  his  musket.  Capt.  B.  lost  all 
command  of  himself,  and  snatching  the  gun  out  of 
the  man's  hand,  beat  him  about  the  head  until  the 
soldier  sank  to  the  ground.  It  excited  the  univer- 
sal indignation  of  the  men.  Indeed  I  am  confident 
that  the  punishment  neither  benefited  the  delinquent 
nor  any  of  his  comrades.  The  universal  experience 
of  military  men  will  testify  to  the  truth  of  my 
remark. 

At  one  of  our  stopping  places  my  budget  of  eata- 
bles was  placed,  at  the  request  of  Colonel  Van 
Dyke,  on  his  table,  and  we  partook  of  it  together, 
with  great  satisfaction.  I  mention  this  merely  as  a 


1  This  village  in  the  town  of  Watervliet,  six  miles  above  Albany, 
and  opposite  the  city  of  Troy,  is  not  now  known  as  Gibbonsville, 
but  was  in  1836  incorporated  under  the  name  of  West  Troy. 


KEVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  155 

trait  of  the  times,  and  of  the  little  regard  paid  to 
the  mere  distinction  of  rank.  At  the  crossing  of 
our  troops  before  mentioned,  some  of  us  got  per- 
mission to  go  on  ahead  for  a  few  miles  towards 
Albany,  where  we  were  to  await  the  arrival  of  the 
regiment. 


[156] 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

W  E  then  proceeded  onward  to  the  buttonwood 
tree,  two  miles  from  Albany,  well  known  at  that 
day  for  the  delightful  shade  it  afforded  to  the  heated 
traveler.  Here  our  horses  were  well  washed  and 
cleaned,  and  the  same  operation  we  performed  on 
ourselves.  By  and  by,  my  enemy,  the  wagon  mas- 
ter, came  down  the  road  on  a  continental  horse 
without  the  equipage  of  an  equestrian,  but  with  the 
ensigns  of  authority.  He  brought  a  guard  with 
him,  and  we  were  arrested  on  the  spot.  Mortified 
at  this,  but  aware  that  we  should  be  revenged,  we 
waited  patiently  until  the  regiment  came  along, 
when  we  complained  to  the  colonel.  "We  were 
instantly  liberated,  while  the  wagon-monster, 
accoutred  as  he  was,  received  a  pointed  rebuke,  and 
was  disgraced  before  the  whole  line. 

The  troops  entered  the  city  in  handsome  style, 
drums  beating  and  colors  flying.  They  were 
marched  to  the  hill  a*nd  there  encamped.  "We  were 
next  dismissed,  and  we  endeavored  to  get  our 
friend,  the  wagon-master,  to  return  with  us  in  the 
wagons,  as  he  intended  to  go  back.  We  concealed 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  157 

under  this  invitation  our  intention  to  give  him  a 
basting  for  his  previous  conduct  to  us.  He  did 
not  accept  our  offer,  "but  withdrew  himself  out  of 
our  way  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  the  beginning  of  1780  we  were  employed  in 
drawing  boards  and  provisions  to  Fort  Anne.  It 
is  well  known  that  an  expedition  was  contemplated 
against  Canada  in  the  preceding  year,  and,  if  I 
remember  right,  Gen.  Lafayette,  who  was  expected 
from  France  early  in  this  year,  was  to  have  had  the 
command.  Indeed  the  plan  of  operations  is  fully 
detailed  by  Marshall.  Fort  Anne  was  then  nothing 
but  a  rough  block  house  with  a  picket  around  it. 
It  had,  however,  been  distinguished  for  several 
gallant  actions  performed  before  and  within  its 
precincts.  It  was  one  thing  to  be  employed  by  con- 
gress, and  another  thing  to  be  paid  by  them.  It  was 
our  fortune  on  this  occasion,  as  on  former  ones,  to 
know  the  difference  :  we  drew  the  boards  but  never 
drew  our  pay. 

While  we  held  undisturbed  possession  of  the 
posts  at  the  north,  it  was  a  very  common  thing  for 
the  different  commanders  to  exchange  visits.  Col- 
onel Warner  of  Fort  Edward  occasionally  visited 
Fort  George.  On  one  of  these  occasions  he  was 
returning  with  two  officers,  all  of  them  mounted 
on  horseback.  As  they  were  passing  the  bloody  pond, 


158          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

where  some  hostile  Indians  had  hid  themselves 
behind  an  old  tree,  they  received  a  volley  of  mus- 
ketry from  their  concealed  enemies.  The  two 
officers  fell  lifeless  to  the  ground,  and  Colonel 
Warner  was  wounded,  as  was  the  horse  he  rode. 
He  put  spurs  to  the  bleeding  animal  and  endeavored 
to  escape.  One  of  the  officers'  horses  followed  him 
and  the  Indians  pursued.  As  he  rode  on  his  horse 
occasionally  seemed  ready  to  fall  under  him,  and 
at  other  times  would  revive  and  appear  to  renew 
his  strength.  The  other  horse  kept  up  with  them, 
alternately  increasing  and  relaxing  his  speed  to 
keep  pace  with  his  wounded  companion.  The 
colonel  in  vain  endeavored  to  seize  the  bridle  which 
hung  over  his  neck,  an  expedient  which  promised 
to  save  him  if  his  own  steed  should  fail.  In  this 
manner,  and  with  all  the  horrid  anticipation  of  a 
cruel  death  before  him,  he  managed  to  outstrip  his 
pursuers  until  he  reached  Wing's  corner  at  Glen's 
falls.  There,  as  the  uninjured  horse  came  along 
side,  he  made  another  attempt  to  seize  his  bridle, 
and  succeeded.  He  instantly  dismounted,  unslung 
the  saddle,  threw  it  over  the  fence,  mounted  the 
horse  and  rode  off  at  full  speed.  He  saw  no  more 
of  his  pursuers  from  this  moment,  but  reached  Fort 
Edward  in  safety ;  overcome,  however,  by  his  exer- 
tion, fatigue,  and  the  loss  of  blood.  What  was 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  159 

also  singular,  was  the  arrival  of  his  wounded  horse, 
which  lived  to  do  good  service  in  the  field. 

The  individual  suffering  of  our  western  brethren 
was  never  greater  than  at  this  time.  I  was  so  sit- 
uated as  to  observe  many  circumstances  of  the 
kind  alluded  to,  and  the  flight  of  some  of  our  rela- 
tives from  Schoharie  to  my  father's  house  at  this 
time  was  the  reason  why  many  anecdotes  connected 
with  the  incursions  of  the  savages  are  remembered 
with  facility.  The  harvests  were  never  more  pro- 
mising than  at  this  time,  and,  for  the  sake  of  obtain- 
ing food  for  their  suffering  families,  the  people  of 
Schoharie  returned  to  remain  on  their  farms  almost 

V 

among  the  last.  There  were  block  houses  near 
the  settlements,  to  which,  in  case  of  alarm,  the 
inhabitants  fled,  and,  as  a  part  of  the  system  of 
defence,  they  in  turns  went  out  as  scouts,  in  order 
to  discover  any  threatened  danger,  and  to  give  the 
alarm.  On  the  morning  of  the  day  which  Schoharie 
will  long  remember,  John  Vrooman,  well  known 
as  old  rifle,  and  two  others  were  out  upon  duty. 
They  were  in  the  woods,  about  eight  miles  distant 
from  the  settlement,  anxiously  reconnoitering  every 
suspicious  object,  and  ready  to  fight  or  fly,  as  was 
most  necessary,  when  Yrooman  caught  a  glance  of 
an  Indian,  who  appeared  engaged  in  a  business 
similar  to  their  own.  "  See  there,"  cried  he  to  his 


160  KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

companions,  "  there  is  one  of  the  black  devils,  as  I 
live !"  The  next  instant  he  raised  his  rifle  to  his 
face,  and  with  a  rashness  that  he  afterwards"rued, 
he  fired  and  the  savage  fell.  Another  Indian  dis- 
covered himself,  and  Vrooman's  companion  fired 
at  him.  This  one  also  fell,  apparently  dead.  A 
third  rose,  as  if  to  give  them  each  a  chance  of  firing, 
but  the  third  scout  became  alarmed  at  this  third 
vision,  and  refused  to  fire.  Vrooman  snatched  the 
rifle  from  his  hand,  and  shot  this  one  also.  Instantly 
a  group  of  Indians  and  Tories  rose  from  the  ground 
near  them  with  a  yell,  and  in  a  manner  that  clearly 
indicated  that  they  were  disturbed  in  finishing  their 
breakfast.  "Did  you  see  that  flock  of  crows?" 
said  Yrooman,  "  we  shall  have  a  warm  day  of  it, 
let  every  one  take  care  of  himself !" 

He  was  an  old  woodsman,  and  as  the  three  scouts 
separated  he  immediately  made  a  tack  and  dashed 
into  the  thickest  of  the  forest.  The  enemy  pur- 
sued him,  and  it  was  only  by  a  series  of  zig-zag 
flights  that  he  reached  the  fort  at  Vrooman's  flats 
at  noon,  breathless,  exhausted,  and  completely  worn 
out  by  fatigue.  He  was  scarcely  there  before  the 
flames  of  the  dwellings  at  the  settlement  were  visi- 
ble. Brant  at  the  first  alarm  pushed  for  the 
settlement,  by  an  old  road,  and  was  already  doing 
his  work  of  devastation. 


[161] 


CHAPTER  JKITXTT. 

JL  HAD  an  aunt  living  at  the  place,  whose  husband, 
at  the  moment  of  Brantte  arrival,  was  engaged  in 
loading  his  barn  with  hay,  and  was  himself  on  the 
load  with  the  pitchfork  in  his  hand,  while  his  sons 
were  in  the  barn  stowing  it  away.  As  he  acci- 
dently  looked  around  he  discovered  the  Indians 
between  him  and  the  house.  At  the  same  instant 
he  heard  his  wife  scream.  He  had  presence  of 
mind,  however,  to  cry  out,  "My boys,  the  enemy!" 
He  jumped  from  the  load  with  the  apparent  inten- 
tion of  making  for  the  cornfield.  As  he  struck  the 
fence  a  ball  went  through  him,  and  he  fell  dead  on 
the  spot.  His  wife  was  coming  out  of  the  garden, 
where  she  had  just  parted  with  a  female  friend,  a 
neighbor,  when  she  saw  the  savages,  and  gave  the 
shriek  which  had  alarmed  her  husband.  The 
wretches  seemed  dead  to  all  the  claims  of  sex  or 
age,  and  she  was  instantly  tomahawked.  The  three 
oldest  of  the  sons  were  made  prisoners,  while  the 
youngest  brother,  of  about  five  years  of  age,  who  had 
been  playing  about  the  wagon  in  the  field,  came 
running  to  the  house.  At  the  sight  of  his  mother 
21 


162          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

weltering  in  her  blood,  lie  gave  away  to  agony  of 
grief,  and  screamed  as  loud  as  his  voice  per- 
mitted. For  a  moment  they  endeavored  to  stop 
his  cries,  but  not  succeeding  in  their  attempt  to 
pacify  him,  they  knocked  him  on  the  head  also, 
and  he  fell  at  the  door  by  the  side  of  his  unfortu- 
nate mother.  Thus,  in  a  few  moments,  with  circum- 
stances of  hellish  barbarity,  was  a  family  put  to  a 
cruel  and  savage  death.  The  three  captives  were 
carried  away  to  Canada.  They  did  not  obtain 
their  liberty  until  nearly  two  years  afterwards.  I 
well  remember  their  return.  My  father  obtained 
information  of  it,  and  went  to  the  north  to  meet 
them.  He  brought  them  home  to  his  own  house, 
and  there  learned  the  story  of  their  sufferings  and 
exile.  From  their  long  captivity,  and  their  con- 
tinued labors  in  the  field  without  hats,  both  in  the 
service  of  the  savages  and  the  Canadians,  they  were 
burned  very  black,  and  presented  a  woful  appear- 
ance. 

It  was  during  the  same  incursion  that,  as  the 
wife  of  John  Vrooman  was  alone  in  her  house,  an 
Indian  by  the  name  of  Hendrik,  a  Mohawk,  who 
had  lived  near  Schoharie,  and  knew  all  the  inha- 
bitants, came  in.  As  he  entered  the  dwelling  his 
eyes  were  attracted  by  a  brown  coat  which  hung 
up  there.  "Whose  coat  is  that?"  said  he.  On 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  163 

being  told  by  her  with  a  trembling  voice,  he  re- 
plied, "  If  the  owner  were  here,  he  would  never 
wear  another."  Both  she  and  her  mother  were 
carried  off'  and  kept  one  night  in  duress.  The  ensu- 
ing morning  they  were  sent  back  by  the  ferocious 
Brant,  and  were  the  bearers  of  a  letter  written  on 
birch  bark,  explaining  his  reasons  for  so  doing. 

The  Vrooman  family  were  peculiarly  unfortunate. 
One  of  its  members,  by  the  name  of  Ephraim,  ran 
into  his  house  to  get  his  gun  and  powder  horn, 
determined  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly  as  he  could ;  but 
as  he  was  in  the  act  of  taking  them  from  the  wall 
where  they  hung,  he  was  clenched  by  a  savage 
who  followed  him  in,  and  was  made  prisoner. 
This  was  not  less  aggravating  from  witnessing  the 
unavailing  attempt  made  by  his  wife  to  escape  at 
the  same  moment.  She  darted  towards  the  road, 
where  the  ground  descended  rapidly,  and  where 
she  hoped  to  have  got  out  of  their  sight.  She  was 
shot  dead  ere  she  reached  the  road.  Nor  is  this  all. 
A  daughter  whom  she  fondly  loved,  of  the  age  of 
eleven  years,  had  laid  hold  of  her  clothes,  and  ran 
with  her.  An  Indian  came  up  to  them,  and  ob- 
serving the  child  lying  close  to  her  mother,  as  if 
seeking  her  protection,  he  snatched  up  a  stone  from 
the  ground  and  dashed  out  her  brains.  Such  were 
some  of  the  incidents  of  that  horrid  scene. 


164          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

Some  of  the  inhabitants,  however,  escaped  under 
circumstances  very  .extraordinary,  and  worthy  of 
reminiscence.  The  road  which  led  from  the  upper 
to  the  middle  fort  ran  across  the  hill.  At  the  time 
of  the  enemy's  approach  two  men  were  in  the  field 
with  a  wagon  and  horses,  busily  engaged  in  work. 
They  were  at  least  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the 
fort.  They  heard  the  noise  of  the  engagement,  and 
instantly  attempted  to  escape.  One  of  them  stood 
up  and  drove,  while  the  other,  with  his  pitch-fork, 
goaded  the  horses  to  their  topmost  speed.  No  less 
than  seven  swing-gates  interposed  themselves,  as 
barriers  on  the  road,  but,  as  most  miraculously  they 
vwere  made  to  swing  either  way,  they  were  forced 
open  by  the  horses  running  against  them.  During 
this  terrible  race  against  time,  several  persons  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  into  the  wagon  from  behind,  and 
these  laid  hold  of  every  person  who  came  near 
enough  to  attempt  the  same  exploit.  As  they 
passed  a  point  where  an  old  person  by  the  name  of 
Swarts  resided,  who  was  unloading  some  corn  from 
a  wagon,  they  gave  him  the  alarm,  and  being  near 
the  goal  they  wished  to  arrive  at,  slackened  their 
pace.  He  told  them  not  to  wait  for  him.  He  sent 
one  of  his  men  to  his  house  to  call  his  wife,  while 
he  reharnessed  his  horses  to  the  wagon.  His  poor 
wife  came  running  out,  the  picture  of  distraction, 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  165 

and  in  her  fright  forgot  her  child,  that  was  sleeping 
in  a  cradle.  She  was  surprised  at  her  forgetfulness 
and  ran  back  for  it.  The  three  were  then  hauled 
into  the  wagon  as  quick  as  possible.  The  horses 
were  forced  into  a  gallop  down  the  hill  and  through 
the  creek.  Notwithstanding  they  were  pursued  by 
the  savages  the  whole  of  the  distance,  they  escaped, 
reaching  the  fort  in  safety,  with  eleven  persons  in 
the  wagon,  picked  up  in  this  singular  manner. 
The  harness  was  covered  with  clotted  blood,  and 
the  poor  animals  were  completely  exhausted. 
Another  person  escaped  across  the  flats  in  this  way. 
Whenever  he  found  his  pursuer  gaining  on  him, 
he  would  turn  round  and  point  something  which 
he  carried  towards  the  savage,  as  if  he  was  about 
to  fire.  This  occasioned  a  halt,  and  with  a  fresh 
breath  drawn  at  those  intervals,  he  .completely  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  safely  into  the  fort. 

This  excursion  cost  Schoharie  twelve  houses 
burned,  and  nearly  a  hundred  people  massacred  and 
made  prisoners.  The  whole  of  their  labor  was  lost 
for  the  season,  and  one  of  the  finest  crops  that  ever 
graced  the  fertile  plains  of  Schoharie  was  destroyed. 
One  house,  amid  this  general  devastation,  escaped 
from  the  circumstance  of  its  being  the  place  where 
treaties  had  been  held  on  former  occasions. 


[166] 


CHAPTEE  xxxrn. 

_L  HIS  celebrated  excursion,  as  I  before  mentioned, 
was  conducted  by  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Brant. 
The  force  which  they  had  with  them  ^ias  always 
been  said  to  have  been  1,150,  counting  red  and  white. 
A  part  of  their  plan  was  to  have  attacked  the  mid- 
dle fort  at  Middleburgh.  Many  a  time  and  oft, 
as  I  have  crossed  the  kil  at  this  place,  and  saun- 
tered along  its  pleasant  banks,  forming,  as  it  were, 
a  natural  street  for  the  quiet  village,  have  I  looked 
in  vain  for  the  traces  of  that  horrid  assault  which 
destroyed  the  settlement  in  1780.  Yet  there  is  a 
stone  dwelling  house,  standing  between  the  hill  and 
the  creek,  and  well  known  by  the  appellation  of 
Becker's  stone  house,  which  then  served  as  a*  rally- 
ing place  for  the  fugitive  settlers,  and  by  the  aid  of 
a  picket  and  some  minor  defences  was  thought 
worthy  of  the  title  of  fort.  I  might  have  been  a 
little  more  systematic  in  the  relation  of  the  events 
of  which  I  am  now  reminiscent,  but  I  am  sure 
the  excuse  of  old  age  will  save  me  from  the  criti- 
cisms of  mere  chronologists. 

The  rear  of  the  enemy,  while  on  their  march  to 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  167 

the  middle  fort,  was  discovered  by  the  lookouts  at 
the  upper  fort,  and  immediately  three  guns  were  dis- 
charged as  a  signal  to  the  neighborhood.  As  I 
have  before  mentioned  the  inhabitants  were  engaged 
in  their  usual  business,  for  they  always  hoped  to  be 
able  to  retire  to  the  fort  before  the  danger  became 
imminent.  When  the  alarm  was  given  my  grand- 
father was  in  the  fort,  and  his  son  was  in  a  mill  which 
belonged  to  the  family,  about  one  mile  from  the 
place.  The  former  immediately  went  down  to  the 
mill,  and  the  two  shut  it  up  and  stopt  its  motion. 
This  was  considered  very  venturesome  in  the  old 
man,  but  he  was  not  immediately  exposed  through 
his  rashness.  Besides.,  the  life  of  a  favorite  son  was 
not  the  least  incentive  on  the  occasion.  He  and 
his  son  mounted  two  horses  that  were  there,  while 
the  miller  trusted  to  his  legs  for  security.  As  the 
fugitives  approached  the  fort  on  their  return  they 
discovered  the  enemy  within  a  hundred  yards  of 
them.  They  immediately  changed  their  course, 
and  got  in  at  the  rear  of  the  fort  without  further 
risk.  This  was  early  in  the  morning.  After  sun- 
rise Sir  John  Johnson  surrounded  the  middle  fort, 
and  sent  a  flag  demanding  its  surrender.  Exaspe- 
rated by  the  sufferings  they  had  already  undergone, 
and  perhaps  by  a  knowledge  of  the  mischief  already 
done  at  the  flats,  and  incited  to  hostility  by  the 
remarks  of  some  old  people,  that  they  wanted  no 


168          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

red-coats  in  the  fort,  they  told  the  sentry  to  fire  at 
the  flag  and  drive  it  off.     A  Major  ~W.,  a  contin- 
ental officer,  who  was  stationed  there,  endeavored 
to  prevent  this  outrage  of  military  etiquette,  and 
commanded  the  sentry  not  to   fire.     The   militia 
officer  overruled  him,  and  gave  peremptory  orders 
to  the  man  to  fire.     This  dispute  was  not  without 
interest.      A  group   of  controversialists  were  as- 
sembled on  the  occasion,  and  furnished  a  scene 
which  the  painter  might  seize  on  to  transfer  to  his 
canvass,  worthy  of  the  humorous  pencil  of  Hogarth, 
if  not  rivaling  his   famous  tribute  to  the  hostile 
properties  of  roast  beef  before  the  gates  of  Calais. 
I  can  imagine  the  moment  when  the  willing  sentry, 
looking  beyond  the  rude  palisade  which  skirted 
the  fort,  saw  the  white  flag  drawing  nearer  with 
that  uncertainty    of  manner  which   indicates  the 
doubt  of  a  favorable  reception.     Raising  his  mus- 
ket to  his  shoulder,  he  looked  around  for  some 
approving  look  from  his  comrades  in  arms.     The 
distant  smoke  which  he  well  knew  was  from  the  torch 
of  the  incendiary,  and  the  glitter  of  the  red-coats 
just  within  sight  of  him,  gave  a  sort  of  tremor  to 
his  hand,  and  he  thought  of  the  fate  which  perhaps 
awaited  them  all.      Just   behind   him  stood  the 
extremes  of  continental  etiquette  and  militia  subor- 
dination, personified  in  the  one  instance  by  a  sharp 


^REVOLUTIONARY  EEMINISCENCES.          169 

and  huge  cocked  hat,  trimmed  profusely  with  gold 
lace,  surmounting  a  well  powdered  head.  The 
lips  of  the  officer  firmly  set,  and  his  right  hand 
resting  on  a  cane  with  which  he  now  and  then  laid 
down  his  argument,  and  somewhat  roundly  too,  on 
the  toes  of  his  unlucky  listeners  around  him.  A 
long  waisted  blue  coat  turned  up  with  buff,  that 
met  and  parted  at  the  same  time  on  his  breast,  and 
a  black  silk  kerchief  drawn  tightly  round  his 
throat,  completed  the  upper  part  of  our  major. 
A  pair  of  small  clothes  drawn  tightly  over  a  muscu- 
lar thigh  were  met  at  the  knee  by  a  pair  of  straight 
sided  boots  that  doubtless  by  their  stiffness  and 
want  of  pliability  prevented  any  thing  like  an 
attack  upon  the  limb  inside.  A  white  belt  thrown 
over  the  whole  man,  and  a  heavy  sabre  with  a 
leathern  scabbard  completed  the  Ajax  of  the  coun- 
cil, the  son  of  chivalry  and  the  regularly  fed  friend 
of  the  continental  congress.  But  the  nicely  drawn 
arguments  taken  from  the  rules  of  war,  and  ever 
and  anon  supported  by  the  dicta  of  the  Prussian 
Baron  Steuben,  who  had  brought  order  into  the 
disorderly  ranks  of  our  armies,  were  lost  upon  the 
rude  minds  of  his  unlettered,  but  exasperated 
companions.  Their  embrowned  visages,  but  illy 
protected  by  their  ancient  hats,  which  had  served 

at  least  during  war,  declared  that  revenge  and  an 
22 


170          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

obstinate  defence  were  all  they  wished,  and  that 
the  means  which  were  to  lead  to  these  were  not 
to  be  invaded  by  rules  to  which  they,  at  least,  had 
never  subscribed.  Besides,  there  was  a  feeling 
almost  of  animosity  against  congress  and  the  regu- 
lar army,  on  account  of  the  indifference  with  which 
their  cries  for  assistance  had  apparently  been  heard. 
It  is  well  known  to  those  persons  who  were  in  the 
confidence  of  General  Schuyler  and  Colonel  Van 
Schaick  that  strong  and  repeated  applications  for 
reinforcements  had  been  denied,  though  for  reasons 
imperious  in  their  nature,  and  such  as  admitted  of 
/  no  compromise.  It  is  well  known  that  even  a  few 
barrels  of  flour  and  beef  which  now  and  then  were 
dispatched  from  the  magazines  in  the  highlands, 
when  arrived  at  Schenectady,  laid  there  for  weeks 
before  a  sufficient  guard  could  be  mustered  to  pro- 
tect it  to  the  river  forts.  Recollections  like  these 
were  not  likely  to  give  success  to  the  opinions  of 
the  continental  major.  In  such  a  group  of  combat- 
ants just  escaped  from  the  tomahawk,  hastily 
equipped  for  defence,  and  bearing  a  grotesque 
appearance,  the  name  of  Steuben  was  of  no  more 
weight  than  the  feather  which  waved  in  the  breeze. 
Brown  shirts  were  the  panoply  of  the  farmer 
soldiers,  over  them  hung  powder  horns  and  shot 
bags,  manufactured  during  the  winter  nights,  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  171 

now  and  then  stopped  up  with  a  corn  cob  which 
had  escaped  the  researches  of  the  swinish  multi- 
tude. Muskets  were  rather  uncommon.  Long 
fowling  pieces  were  more  in  fashion  in  Schoharie. 
Sometimes  the  rank  of  the  individual  led  him  to 
greater  expense  in  equipment.  A  sparse  sprinkling 
of  gold  lace  in  places  best  calculated  for  display, 
a  long  feather  and  a  thin  epaulette  were  indicative 
of  the  superior  pretensions  of  the  man  who  wore 
them. 


[172] 


CHAPTER 

OCCASIONALLY  in  the  interstices  of  the  dispu- 
tants an  old  man  or  two  would  be  listening  with  that 
peculiar  expression  of  countenance  which  argues 
the  possession  of  hard  hearing.  These,  who 
had  generally  known  something  of  service  in  the 
French  war,  would  occasionally  chime  in  with  yes 
or  no,  as  the  controversy  came  within  the  range  of 
their  memories.  There  was  another  argument 
used,  which,  after  all,  was  perhaps  the  most  power- 
ful of  any;  and  this  was  the  fact,  that  however 
etiquette  might  be  regarded  by  the  besieged,  it 
certainly  was  not  likely  to  produce  a  correspondent 
feeling  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Already  they 
had  experienced  the  truth  of  the  position,  in  the 
murders  committed  upon  the  unsuspecting  inha- 
bitants, and  these,  too,  after  they  had  surrendered. 
The  savages  and  their  companions  the  Tories,  still 
more  savage  than  they,  had  shown  no  respect  to 
age,  sex  or  condition,  and  it  was  with  force  the 
question  was  repeated,  "are  we  bound  to  exercise 
a  forbearance  totally  unreciprocated  by  the  enemy  ? 
Besides,  let  us  show  that  we  neither  give  nor  take 
quarter.  They  will  discover  our  desperation  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          173 

withdraw."  On  the  whole,  the  friends  of  etiquette 
were  overpowered.  The  order  to  fire  was  repeated, 
and  the  close  shot  of  the  sentinel  drove  away  at 
full  speed  the  bearer  of  the  flag  of  truce.  The 
major,  however,  unwilling  to  be  responsible  for 
the  consequences,  retired  to  his  pallet,  and  excused 
himself  from  any  further  command  at  present, 
alleging  his  indisposition.  A  Captain  Vrooman 
was  invested  with  the  honors  of  the  command,  and 
at  the  head  of  350  men,  besides  women  and  child- 
ren, resolved  to  fight  while  there  was  a  combatant 
of  either  sex  left  alive.  After  the  violation  of  the 
flag  Sir  John  brought  up  his  artillery,  and  fired 
upon  the  fort.  The  fire  was  promptly  returned. 
Having  a  few  light  howitzers  with  him,  he  threw  a 
few  shells,  of  which  only  two  struck  the  building. 
One  of  them  entered  the  roof  of  a  small  building  in 
the  pickets  and  fell  through  the  roof  into  a  room  where 
two  sick  women  were  lying.  It  was  arrested  in  its 
fall  by  a  feather  bed,  where  it  exploded  and  scat- 
tered a  gale  of  feathers  about  the  apartment.  No 
serious  injury,  however,  occurred.  An  effort  was 
made  to  set  fire  to  the  pickets  and  out  houses,  by 
loading  a  wagon  with  dry  wheat,  and  after  firing 
it,  to  shove  it  as  close  to  the  place  as  possible.  This 
attempt  also  failed.  Either  the  sharp  shooting  of  the 
riflemen,  or  the  short  lived  flames  of  the  material 


174          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

which  was  used,  prevented  any  injury.  The  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  day  was  occupied  in  operations 
of  this  kind,  when  the  sentry  again  discovered  the 
approach  of  a  white  flag.  In  an  instant  the  news 
was  about,  and  a  crowd  again  assembled  to  watch 
its  coming.  Major  "W ,  with  the  rest,  deter- 
mined to  make  his  last  stand  against  the  invasion 
of  military  law.  A  Captain  Reghtmeyer,  however, 
was  on  the  platform  where  the  soldier  stood,  and 
he  gave  him  the  order  to  fire.  The  major,  exaspe- 
rated at  this,  drew  his  sword,  and  seemed  about  to 
run  the  delinquent  through.  The  little  captain, 
who  carried  a  fusee  in  his  hand,  instantly  clubbed 
it,  and  made  an  impressive  motion  with  its  breech, 
which  again  drove  the  major  back  to  his  retreat. 

During  this  petty  siege  the  ejiemy  would  draw 
off  their  forces,  and  burn  and  destroy  dwellings  in 
the  neighborhood.  At  these  intervals  our  men 
would  succeed  in  killing  numbers  of  them,  but  the 
moment  any  thing  like  a  show  of  force  took  place, 
the  latter  would  run  back,  repass  the  gate  under 
the  protection  of  a  heavy  fire  from  their  comrades, 
and  the  small  artillery,  within  the  walls.  During 
this  desultory  warfare,  which  lasted  from  morning 
to  night,  the  females  within  our  fort  displayed  a 
heroism  worthy  of  commemoration.  They  were  well 
provided  with  arms,  which  they  intended  to  use  if 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          175 

the  English  attempted  to  take  the  place  by  storm. 
Their  services  were  not  required  by  such  an  extrem- 
ity. One  of  these,  then  an  interesting  and  hand- 
some young  female,  whose  name  is  still  mentioned 
with  respect  by  the  people  of  Schoharie,  displayed 
a  good  deal  of  courage  on  this  occasion.  Perceiv- 
ing that  one  of  our  men,  who  went  to  draw  water 
from  a  well  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire,  scud- 
ded into  the  fort  as  fast  as  he  could  to  escape  it, 
she  gallantly  went  out  herself  and  drew  water  for 
the  men  in  the  fort  as  long  as  any  was  required. 
"Without  changing  color,  she  carried  bucket  after 
bucket  to  the  thirsty  combatants,  and  providentially 
she  escaped  without  the  slightest  injury. 

Finding  the  fort  too  strong  for  them,  the  enemy 
drew  down  to  the  lower  fort,  and  after  skirmishing 
until  sundown,  without  much  effect,  drew  off 
towards  the  Mohawk  river.  By  this  time,  however, 
the  alarm  had  spread  through  the  neighboring 
settlements,  and  a  body  of  militia  of  sufficient  force 
to  become  the  assailants,  arrived,  it  is  said,  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  enemy  near  the  river,  and 

M 

Sir  John  Johnson,  in  consequence,  had  actually 
made  arrangements  to  surrender.  The  Americans, 
however,  at  this  moment,  fell  back  a  short  distance, 
for  the  sake  of  occupying  a  better  position  during 
the  night.  The  interval  was  improved  by  the 


176          REVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES. 

enemy,  and  by  great  exertions  on  their  part,  floats 
and  rafts  were  constructed,  upon  which  they  passed 
over  before  the  Americans  came  up  in  the  morn- 
ing. There  is  a  tradition  among  the  Schoharie 
people,  however,  that  as  the  last  float  was  going 
over,  a  British  officer  who  was  on  it,  offered  a  fair 
mark  for  the  rifle,  in  consequence  of  the  glitter  of 
his  dress  in  the  light  of  the  morning  sun.  A 
friendly  Oneida  asked  permission  to  fire  at  him, 
and  on  its  being  given,  he  took  a  rest  for  his  rifle 
in  order  to  take  a  good  aim,  fired  and  shot  the 
officer  instantly. 


[177] 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

-L  THINK  it  was  upon  this  occasion  that  Gover- 
nor George  Clinton,  to  whose  indefatigable  exertions 
the  state  of  New  York  owes  more  than  she  could 
repay,  ordered  out  the  militia  of  the  different 
counties,  and  at  their  head  proceeded  to  the  north- 
ward, in  hopes  to  cut  off"  the  retreat  of  the  enemy. 
With  the  greatest  activity  his  men  were  collected 
and  dispatched  to  Lake  George.  No  tidings  being 
gained  of  them,  however,  the  governor  determined 
to  proceed,  and  having  boats  at  Caldwell,  he  pre- 
pared to  embark  for  Ticonderoga.  It  so  happened 
that  my  father  was  selected  to  take  charge  of  the 
barge  in  which  the  governor  embarked.  He  imme- 
diately made  a  selection  of  the  best  oarsmen  he 
could  find,  and  all  being  ready  the  flotilla  moved 
to  the  lake.  Is  was  a  doubtful  voyage.  The 
governor  was  one  of  those  men,  who,  not  at  all 
elevated  by  the  high  dignity  and  responsibility  of 
his  station,  knew  how  to  please  every  class  of  citi- 
zens by  making  himself  cheerful  and  familiar. 
They  had  a  fine  passage  down  the  lake.  The 
enemy,  however,  was  not  to  be  found.  Governor 

Clinton  then  resolved  to  push  on  to  Crown  Point. 
23 


178          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

A  scouting  party  of  three  men  was  selected  to 
explore  the  country.  One  very  intelligent  man  was 
chosen,  who,  among  other  things,  was  known  for 
his  singularity  in  refusing  to  wear  shoes.  He  abso- 
lutely refused  to  go,  unless  he  had  permission  to  go 
alone.  This  excited  Governor  Clinton's  curiosity. 
He  requested  the  man  to  come  to  him.  He  was 
astonished  at  the  grotesqueness  of  his  appearance, 
and  at  first  doubted  his  capacity  for  the  intended 
business.  He  enquired  why  he  demanded  to  go 
alone.  The  man  replied  that  his  companions  would 
only  have  to  wait  for  him  in  the  woods.  He  was  per- 
mitted to  adopt  his  own  measures,  and  was  ordered 
to  push  ahead  for  fifteen  miles,  and  return  again  as 
soon  as  possible.  He  left  the  governor's  head 
quarters  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  half  past 
nine  next  morning  had  returned,  after  having 
traveled  thirty  mil^es  during  thatperiod,  but  observed 
nothing  suspicious.  It  was  pretty  well  ascertained 
that  the  enemy  had  not  retreated  in  that  direction, 
and  the  governor  gave  up  all  hopes  of  intercepting 
them  on  this  occasion,  and  returned  home.  It  was 
at  this  time  that  the  governor,  pleased  with  my 
father's  conduct  and  discretion,  told  him  that  he 
would  see  him  the  next  day  at  an  hour  which  he 
fixed,  to  converse  with  him  upon  a  subject  of  some 
interest.  Unfortunately  for  me,  my  father  forgot 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          179 

the  appointment,  for  it  afterwards  turned  out  that 
the  governor  intended  to  have  given  me  a  lieuten- 
ant's commission.  The  delay,  however,  lost  all. 
After  waiting  two  hours  for  my  father's  arrival  the 
governor  returned  to  Albany,  and  the  golden  oppor- 
tunity was  lost. 

In  Saratoga  we  continued  constantly  exposed  to 
the  harrassing  incursions  of  the  Tories  and  Indians. 
Almost  the  whole  country  was  alarmed  by  them, 
and  with  the  subtlety  peculiar  to  the  savage  intel- 
lect, they  seemed  to  escape  every  attempt  at  capture. 
Often  we  have  seen  them  running  across  the  fields 
upon  the.  opposite  side  of  the  river,  now  stooping 
behind  fences  which  afibrded  them  a  partial  cover, 
and  now  boldly  running  across  the  open  ground, 
where  the  fences  were  down,  to  some  other  enclosed 
field,  along  which  they  skulked  as  before.  During 
these  alarms  our  neighbors  used  to  come  and  live 
with  us  for  weeks  together  until  the  danger  was 
over,  and  then  they  would  return  home.  The  prin- 
cipal men  of  the  county  had  guards  stationed  at 
their  dwellings.  Gen.  Schuyler  had  usually  twenty- 
four  at  his  house.  Some  of  the  militia  colonels 
who  had  become  obnoxious  to  the  enemy  were  pro- 
tected by  smaller  guards  of  five  and  six  men  about 
each  house.  Minor  precautions  were  also  taken, 
and  the  relation  of  some  of  them  will  show  my 


180          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

readers  how  wearisome  was  the  life  we  led.  My 
father  was  in  the  habit  of  stacking  his  corn  in  the 
field,  and  indeed  all  his  grain,  placing  it  as  far  as 
possible  from  the  fences,  for  in  case  of  surprise,  and 
if  his  dwelling  should  be  burned,  he  knew  what 
was  scattered  through  the  fields  would  in  a  mea- 
sure be  safe.  It  was  a  common  thing  in  those  days 
for  the  farmers  with  us  to  transport  their  grain  to 
Albany  during  the  winter,  and  keep  it  stored  there 
for  protection.  In  the  snmmer  it  was  carried  back 
load  by  load,  as  it  was  wanted  for  use. 

In  the  fall  alarms  still  continued,  and  every  pre- 
caution, as  was  usual,  was  taken  by  us.  "We  used 
to  stack  our  straw  in  the  field,  near  the  house,  and 
so  erect  the  pile,  as  to  leave  at  the  top  a  conical 
hole,  in  which  two  persons  kept  watch  during  the 
alarms,  this  way,  every  night.  A  ladder  was  placed 
for  us  to  mount  with  our  guns,  and  when  we  were 
ensconced,  it  was  withdrawn.  One  slept  while  the 
other  watched,  and  though  our  elevation  was  not 
more  than  ten  feet,  it  gave  us  a  great  advantage  in 
detecting  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Perched  in 
these  eyries  we  passed  night  after  night,  while  our 
sleepless  eyes  strained  their  vision  to  catch  the 
least  appearance  of  the  foe.  Indeed  we  com- 
manded a  full  view  of  the  river,  and  to  the  north 
and  west  for  a  great  distance.  Nor  was  this  the  only 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          181 

method  which  caution  induced  us  to  take.  The 
horses  were  frequently  harnessed  to  our  sleds  at 
night,  which  made,  of  course,  less  noise  than  the 

wagons,  to  transport  our  baggage  down  to  a  ravine 

•• 

for  the  sake  of  preserving  it  from  an  expected 
incursion. 

I  well  remember  when  my  father  was  obliged  to 
leave  home  in  company  with  the  neighboring  mili- 
tia, and  leave  it  too,  with  the  impression  that  it 
would  be  burned  before  he  returned  to  his  family. 
My  poor  mother  has  been  so  alarmed  at  night,  as  to 
hasten,  with  her  children,  down  to  the  ravine  I 
have  mentioned,  and  there  pass  the  night  in  the 
open  air.  In  the  morning  she  would  cautiously 
approach  the  house,  scarcely  knowing  whether  it 
yet  afforded  a  shelter. 

These  alarms  were  harassing  in  the  extreme, 
and  they  kept  us  unquiet  while  the  war  continued. 
I  will  relate  one  or  two  circumstances  which  came 
within  my  personal  observation,  and  which  will 
impress  my  reader  with  a  more  lively  idea  of  what 
we  were  doomed  to  undergo. 


[182] 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Sunday  night,  after  all  the  family  had 
retired  to  their  bed,  it  being  a  still,  clear  night  in 
the  fall  of  the  year,  we  heard  our  dogs  barking 
violently  in  the  front  of  the  house,  while  a  con- 
fused sound  of  voices  accompanied  the  deep  mouthed 
baying.  In  an  instant  my  father  was  out  of  bed, 
and  ready  for  action,  when  my  prudent  mother 
checked  his  impetuosity  by  saying,  he  was  not  a 
match  for  the  persons  without,  that  if  he  went  out 
he  would  be  taken,  and  that  perhaps,  if  all  was  kept 
still  within  the  house,  the  enemy  would  not  think 
it  necessary  to  commit  any  violence,  for  the  sake 
of  securing  their  own  safety,  and  go  off.  Gradu- 
ally the  noise  of  the  dogs  became  fainter  and  more 
distant,  and  before  many  minutes  passed  away  it 
was  as  still  and  tranquil  as  ever.  It  was  not  long 
afterwards  ascertained,  that  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
turbance was  the  approach  to  the  house  of  a  party 
of  Tories  with  fire-arms,  led  on  by  a  fellow  by 
the  name  of  Lovelass.  "When  all  was  quiet,  my 
father,  with  his  gun  in  his  hand,  stole  cautiously 
out  of  the  house,  and  followed  in  the  direction  of 
the  noise  when  last  heard.  It  led  him  to  the  river, 


KEVOLUTIONARY  KEMINISCENCES.          183 

and  he  had  scarce  reached  the  bank,  when  he  dis- 
tinctly heard  the  noise  of  a  canoe  pacfdle  as  it 
touched  the  sides  of  the  sonorous  machine.  Every 
one  who  has  noticed  the  sound  of  the  oars  of  a 
boat  or  the  paddles  of  a  canoe  will  readily  recollect 
the  hollow  tone  which  they  make,  and  which,  on 
some  occasions,  has  an  unnatural  effect  upon  the 
ear.  My  father,  by  long  use,«had  become  accus- 
tomed not  only  to  distinguish  these  peculiar  sounds, 
but  knew  his  own  canoe  by  the  tones  its  hollow 
trough  gave  out  at  the  touch  of  the  rower.  On 
this  occasion  his  acute  ear  told  him  that  his  canoe 
was  nearly  across  the  river.  For  a  moment  he 
hesitated  whether  he  should  not  fire  in  the  direction 
of  the  noise,  but  on  reflection  he  thought  the  risk 
too  great,  and  the  advantage  too  remote  to  be  ha- 
zarded by  the  discharge  of  his  rifle.  Slowly  he 
turned  his  back  homewards,  while  his  faithful  curs 
at  his  first  approach,  having  discovered  their  master, 
followed  at  his  heels  with  a  whine,  which  almost 
spoke  their  uneasiness  and  alarm.  In  the  morning 
the  canoe  was  discovered  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river,  and  the  circumstances  led  to  suspicion  that 
all  was  not  right.  My  father,  as  the  sequel  will 
show,  had  been  in  great  danger,  and  his  neighbors 
felt  very  unpleasantly  about  it;  and  Colonel  Van 
Vechten,  our  vigilant  friend,  was  constantly  on  the 


184          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

alert  to  "discover  who  those  persons  could  have 
been,  and  whether  they  were  in  the  vicinity  of 
Saratoga.  There  was  a  Captain  Dunham,  who 
commanded  a  militia  company  in  the  neighborhood, 
a  great  "Whig,  and  a  firm  friend  of  ours,  who  also 
exerted  himself  to  trace  the  marauder,  and  was  in 
frequent  consultation  with  Colonel  Van  Vechten 
on  the  subject.  One  evening,  as  they  were  together 
at  a  place  of  public  entertainment,  if  such  a  thing 
could  be  such  in  those  times,  a  boy  was  seen  emerg- 
ing from  the  woods  in  the  neighborhood  on  horse- 
back, and  presently  approaching  the  place  where 
they  were,  asked  if  he  could  purchase  a  little  rum. 
When  he  was  answered,  "No,"  he  immediately 
mounted,  returned  a  considerable  distance,  and  then 
was  seen  galloping  down  the  main  road  by  the 
river  side.  On  seeing  this  Dunham  exclaimed, 
"  This  means  something,  I  am  sure  of  it !"  They 
then  watched  for  the  boy's  return,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  he  repassed  at  full  speed.  He  then  ree'n- 
tered  the  wood,  and  was  gone  from  their  sight  in 
an  instant.  Dunham's  penetration  induced  him  to 
say,  "  Van  Vechten,  the  enemy  is  near  us ;  the 
Tories  are  in  our  neighborhood  and  not  far  oif." 
They  separated  with  a  determination  to  act  imme- 
diately. 

Dunham,  when  he  reached  home,   immediately 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  195 

went  to  a  person  by  the  name  of  Green,  who  was  a 
son  of  Vulcan,  an  able-bodied,  bold  and  persevering 
fellow.  He  was  the  pride  of  his  settlement  and  the 
safeguard  of  the  people  around  him  —  always  ready 
for  action,  never  desponding,  and  fearless  to  an 
extent  that  was  remarkable.  He  was  always  relied 
upon  in  trying  emergencies  by  the  leading  men  in 
the  vicinity,  and  what  completed  his  merit  was,  he 
was  never  dilatory.  Dunham  related  the  circum- 
stance to  him,  and  declared  his  belief  that  there 
was  a  party  of  Tories  in  the  neighborhood.  Three 
other  persons  were  called  upon  the  same  night  for 
their  assistance,  and  when  the  rest  of  their  neigh- 
bors were  asleep  these  hardy  men  commenced. their 
reconnoissance.  Every  suspected  spot  was  carefully 
approached  in  hopes  to  observe  the  objects  of  their 
search.  Every  hollow  that  could  contain  a  hiding 
place  was  looked  into;  but  in  a  more  particular 
manner  the  out-houses  and  barns  of  those  persons 
who  were  suspected  for  their  attachment  to  the 
enemy  were  examined  by  them.  It  seemed  all  in 
vain.  No  traces  of  a  concealed  foe  were  discovered, 
when  towards  daybreak  it  was  proposed  to  sepa- 
rate and  make  one  final  search  for  that  time.  Dun- 
ham took  two  men  with  him,  and  Green  but  one. 
The  former,  as  a  last  effort,  returned  to  the  house 

of  one  Odeurman,  who,  it  was  probable,  would  be 
24 


196          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

in  communication  with  an  enemy,  if  near  him.  As 
he  approached  the  house  he  had  to  pass  a  meadow 
adjoining,  and  observed  a  path  leading  from  the 
house  to  a  small  thicket  of  about  three  acres  extent. 
Dunham  immediately  suspected  it  led  to  his  enemy. 
He  pursued  it,  and  found  it  passed  round  the  thicket, 
and  when  it  almost  met  the  place  where  it  turned 
off,  the  path  entered  tlje  wood.  Dunham  paused, 
and  turning  to  his  companions  said,  "Here  they  are, 
will  you  follow  me  ?"  They  instantly  agreed  to 
accompany  him,  and  the  party  moved  on  in  single 
file,  with  light  and  cautious  steps.  As  they  got 
nearly  to  the  centre,  Dunham  in  advance,  a  log 
stopped  up  the  path,  and  seemed  to  prevent  any 
further  approach.  With  a  motion  that  indicated 
the  necessity  of  their  remaining  still,  he  mounted 
the  log,  and  looking  over,  discovered,  sure  enough, 
at  once  a  desired  and  yet  imposing  sight.  Round 
the  remains  of  a  watch  fire,  which  day  break  ren- 
dered less  necessary,  sat  a  group  of  five  fierce  look- 
ing men,  with  countenances  relaxed  from  their 
usual  fixedness,  but  yet  betokening  boldness,  if  not 
savageness  of  purpose.  They  were  dressing  them- 
selves and  putting  on  their  shoes  and  stockings, 
which  stood  by  the  side  of  their  rude  couches. 
Their  clothes  were  much  worn,  but  had  a  military 
cut,  which  made  their  stout  and  muscular  forms 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  197 

more  apparent,  had  a  peculiar  snug  fit,  and  distin- 
guished them  from  the  loose,  slovenly,  scare  crow 
figures  which  the  homely  character  of  our  country 
seamstresses  imposed  upon  every  thing  rural  or 
rusticated  among  our  people.  Their  hats  or  caps 
were  set  carelessly  on  their  heads,  with  the  air  of 
regulars ;  and  what  made  them  still  more  observa- 
ble was,  that  every  man  of  them  had  his  musket  at 
his  side  on  the  ground,  ready  to  be  used  at  an 
instant's  notice.  Dunham  surveyed  this  scene  a 
few  moments,  and  then  drew  back  cautiously  to  his 
companions.  In  a  tone  not  above  a  whisper,  he 
said,  "  Shall  we  take  'em  ?"  A  nod  from  his  compan- 
ions decided  him.  Each  now  examined  his  musket 
and  reprimed  it.  The  captain  took  the  right  of  his 
little  band,  and  they  moved  forward  to  the  log. 
They  mounted  it  at  the  same  instant,  and,  as  they 
did  so,  Dunham  cried  out  "  Surrender,  or  you  are 
all  dead  men !"  The  group  that  thus  found  them- 
selves almost  under  the  muzzles  of  their  enemies' 
guns  were  indeed  astonished.  All  but  their  leader, 
Lovelass,  seemed  petrified  and  motionless.  This 
resolute  man  seemed  disposed  to  make  an  effort 
for  their  lives.  Twice  amid  the  silence  and  stillness 
of  the  perilous  moment  he  stretched  out  his  hand 
to  seize  his  gun.  Each  time  he  was  prevented  by 
the  nearer  approach  of  the  muzzle  that  pointed  at 


198          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

his  head,  and  beyond  which  he  saw  an  unflinching 
eye  steadfastly  fixed  upon  him,  at  the  same  instant 
he  was  told,  that  if  he  touched  it  he  was  dead. 

At  this  critical  period  of  the  rencontre  Dunham 
peremptorily  ordered  the  party  to  come  out,  one  by 
one,  which  they  reluctantly  did,  fearing,  perhaps, 
that  they  were  surrounded  by  and  in  contact  with 
a  superior  force.  As  fast  as  one  came  over  the  log 
he  was  secured  by  the  most  powerful  man  of  the 
three,  while  the  other  two  kept  their  pieces  steadily 
pointed  at  the  other  prisoners.  In  this  way  they 
were  secured,  and  were  marched  out  of  the  thicket 
to  the  adjacent  house.  The  inmates  of  the  dwelling 
were  thunderstruck  at  perceiving  the  prisoners. 
Some  young  women,  who  proved  to  be  sisters  of 
some  of  the  party,  gave  way  to  the  most  violent 
grief.  "Well  aware  of  the  danger  they  were  in,  and 
of  the  speedy  vengeance  inflicted  upon  Tories  and 
spies,  they  anticipated  the  most  dreadful  conse- 
quences, to  their  unhappy  brothers,  and  no  words 
can  express  the  frantic  sorrow  to  which  they  aban- 
doned themselves.  The  young  men  themselves 
assumed  an  air  of  firmness,  but  it  was  easily  pene- 
trated. They  were  marched  off  to  Saratoga  bar- 
racks, and  as  they  came  up  the  main  road  opposite 
to  our  house  we  saw  them  approach,  and  my  father 
and  myself  spoke  to  them.  They  confessed  that 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          199 

they  were  the  persons  who  had  alarmed  us  on  the 
night  to  which  I  have  already  alluded. 

After  crossing  in  the  canoe  they  had  lain  two 
days  and  nights  in '  the  bush,  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  river,  looking  out  for  persons  alone,  and 
intending  to  capture  the  principal  and  most  active 
of  the  neighboring  Whigs.  They  did  not  deny 
that  they  had  deliberated  some  time  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  taking  my  father  off  with  them,  but  as 
their  main  attempt  was  to  have  been  against  Colo- 
nel Van  Yechten,  they  concluded  not  to-  hazard 
their  ultimate  object  by  precipitation. 

The  poor  wretches  were  tried  and  condemned  at 
a  court  martial,  of  which  the  celebrated  Stark  was 
president.  Lovelass  alone  suffered  death.  He  was 
considered  too  dangerous  a  man  to  be  permitted  to 
escape.  He  complained  that  being  found  with  arms 
in  his  hands,  he  was  only  a  prisoner,  and  many 
thought,  that  such  being  the  fact,  he  was  scarcely 
punishable  as  a  spy.  Indeed  he  even  bewailed  his 
hard  fate,  and  the  injustice  done  him,  but  found  he 
had  nothing  to  expect  from  the  judges.  In  two  or 
three  days  he  was  brought  out  upon  the  hill,  on  the 
south  side  of  General  Schuyler's  house,  and  suffered 
death  upon  the  gallows.  Nothing  could  have  been 
more  quiet  and  unaffected  than  his  manner;  the 
spectators  themselves  were  touched  with  compas- 


200  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

sion,  but  public  policy  seemed  to  require  an  unbend- 
ing sternness  on  the  part  of  the  court,  and  his 
punishment  certainly  put  an  end  for  that  time  to  all 
marauding  expeditions  by  the  Tories.  Lovelass's 
companions  were  sent  down  the  river  the  same 
day  to  a  depot  for  prisoners. 


[201] 


CHAPTER  XXXVH. 

was  about  the  same  time  I  remember,  I  had 
been  sent  by  my  father  from  home  a  considerable 
distance,  in  order  to  obtain  the  services  of  a  person 
wanted  as  a  servant  in  the  family ;  I  did  not  succeed 
in  the  attempt,  and  was  delayed  on  my  return  home 
until  dark.  When  I  arrived  and  had  put  away  my 
horse,  I  went  into  the  house,  and  found  my  parents 
gone,  and  the  younger  children  who  were  incapa- 
ble of  giving  me  much  information  on  the  subject 
sitting  like  statues  round  the  expiring  embers  of 
the  kitchen  fire  in  solemn  and  melancholy  silence, 
their  countenances  expressive  of  uncertainty  if  not 
of  dread,  and  uttering  deep  drawn  sighs,  as  their  eyes 
wandered  round  the  deserted  room.  Kot  knowing 
the  actual  reason  of  their  desertion,  yet  conformiDg 
strictly  to  the  commands  left  with  them  by  their 
parents,  they  had  scarcely  ventured  to  move  from 
their  seats  until  I  came  in,  and  while  I  was  struck 
with  the  peculiarity  of  their  behavior,  as  well  as 
the  strangeness  of  the  absence  of  the  family,  I  bade 
them  remain  quiet  while  I  stepped  out  of  the  house 
to  see  if  I  could  discover  any  thing.  I  had  scarcely 
reached  the  open  air  when  the  screaming  of  a  child 


202  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

apparently  at  a  distance  down  the  river,  fell  upon 
my  ear,  and  made  my  blood  run  cold.  "What  can 
this  mean  !"  I  exclaimed.  The  cry  continued  —  My 
curiosity  increased,  and  hastily  seizing  a  musket,  I 
told  the  children  to  remain  where  they  were,  and  I 
would  return  in  a  few  minutes.  I  shall  never  forget 
the  imploring,  yet  checked  expression  of  alarm, 
which  those  .dear  little  creatures  gave  me.  I  did 
not  wait  to  hear  them  say  a  word,  but  hastened 
down  to  the  river.  The  noise  plainly  increased, 
piercing  the  ear  of  night.  I  crossed  the  road  which 
led  down  to  the  ferry,  and  secreted  myself  behind  a 
fence,  where  I  thought  I  could  make  the  most  of 
my  concealment,  while  I  caught  with  breathless 
anxiety  the  incessant  screams  of  the  child.  I  soon 
distinguished  the  hasty  plunging  of  oars,  and  in  a 
few  moments  more,  a  number  of  persons  landed 
from  a  boat  just  under  my  feet.  Scarcely  knowing 
what  was  best  to  do,  I  cried  out,  "  Who  goes  there  ?" 
I  shall  never  forget  the  complete  felicity  I  enjoyed 
on  hearing  my  father's  well  known  reply,  "John,  is 
that  you,  my  boy,  what  are  you  doing  here?"  I 
instantly  emerged  from  my  post,  and  explained  the 
cause  of  my  alarm.  I  immmediately  perceived  the 
party  were  our  friends,  consisting  of  Colonel  V.,  and 
P.,  with  their  families  and  domestics  who  were  com- 
ing up  to  stay*with  us  on  account  of  the  dangers 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          203 

which  were  supposed  to  threaten  them  at  home. 
The  men  had  walked  along  the  river  side  while 
their  wives  came  in  the  boat,  rowed  by  the  blacks ; 
but  they  were  not  a  little  perplexed  at  the  circum- 
stances of  the  infant  of  Mrs.  V.  having  most 
unaccountably  commenced  screaming  without  any 
cause.  No  caresses  could  stop  it,  and  when  alarmed 
at  being  discovered,  they  tied  a  pocket  handker- 
chief about  its  face,  they  found  its  lungs  too  power- 
ful for  that.  They  were  very  thankful  for  their 
safe  arrival.  An  enemy  could  have  heard  the  child 
cry  for  two  miles,  such  was  the  stillness  of  the  night. 
"We  all  proceeded  in  a  body  up  to  our  dwelling, 
which  for  many  weeks  resembled  a  garrison  rather 
than  a  house. 

"While  we  were  all  under  the  effects  of  the  excite- 
ment of  the  evening  we  were  quite  unprepared  for  an 
event  which  took  place  somefew  hours  after.  Wehad 
thirteen  guns  loaded  and  in  order,  and  being  divided 
into  watches  we  stood  as  sentries  round  the  house. 
It  soon  came  my  turn  to  go  out  with  one  of  the 
blacks  by  the  name  of  Ned,  whom  on  most  occa- 
sions, a  pair  of  fleet  heels  served  a  friendly  part. 

Rumor  addidit  alas  !  Ned  however,  talked  largely 
and  I  felt  no  backwardness  in  stating  what  havoc 
we  would  make  among  the  Tories  with  our  thirteen 
guns.  "While  every  one  was  fast  asleep,  about 


204          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

midnight,  during  one  of  our  walks  towards  a  fence 
which  ran  down  to  the  river,  as  the  moon  was  just 
rising  behind  us  and  throwing  a  faint  light  on  the 
scene  beyond,  I  perceived  with  horror  the  approach 
of  objects  whose  movements  appeared  to  be  go- 
verned by  the  most  perfect  military  rules.  Every 
now  and  then  they  would  halt,  and  after  a  short 
rest  would  move  on  with  the  same  precision.  They 
were  crossing  a  wheat-field  which  lay  to  the  south 
of  the  fence  I  have  mentioned,  anxious  to  get  under 
its  cover  for  the  purpose  of  concealing  their  ap- 
proach to  the  house.  The  rustling  of  the  stubble 
seemed  to  be  as  carefully  avoided  as  possible.  I 
watched  them  with  the  deepest  interest  until  they 
made  a  deliberate  and  regular  halt  when  they  came 
to  the  fence.  I  was  then  convinced  we  were  in  immi- 
nent danger,  and  turning  round  to  give  some  order 
to  my  companion,  found  he  was  gone.  I  hesitated 
not  a  moment  to  follow  his  example,  and  hastening 
to  the  house,  arrived  there  about  the  same  time 
with  Ned.  "We  woke  up  the  sleepers  with  the 
startling  information  that  a  large  number  of  disci- 
plined men  were  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the 
house  and  approaching  it  with  caution  and  perfect 
regularity. 

In  an  instant  all  the  men  were  armed  and  ready. 
My  father  volunteered  to  run  down  a  few  rods  and 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          205 

reconnoitre.  He  did  so,  and  came  back  with  the 
news  that  they  were  coming.  A  brief  consultation 
was  held  as  to  the  best  manner  of  receiving  them, 
as  flight  was  impracticable  under  the  circumstances 
without  abandoning  both  wives  and  children.  One 
was  for  firing  as  they  mounted  a  fence  that  went 
across  at  right  angles  to  the  house  parallel  to  the 
river.  Another  was  for  opening  upon  them  as 
they  ascended  the  rising  ground  that  intervened 
between  the  house  and  bank  of  the  river.  The  last 
project  was  approved,  and  we  were  cautioned  to  fire 
low,  and  to  make  every  shot  tell.  The  party  sta- 
tioned themselves  accordingly  and  I  then  volun- 
teered to  go  down  and  take  another  look.  They 
still  appeared  in  motion,  but  apparently  without 
caution  approached  the  bank  and  fence  running 
parallel  to  it.  There  they  halted  for  some  time, 
and  I  hastened  back  with  the  intelligence.  Their 
apparent  irresolution  inspired  us  with  fresh  vigor, 
and  we  began  to  grow  more  resolute  as  our  enemy 
seemed  to  hesitate.  A  half  hour  passed  away  when 
they  again  moved  forward  briskly  to  the  north,  and 
this  change  of  plan  seemed  to  be  the  result  of  con- 
sultation, and  led  us  to  expect  their  attack  through 
the  hollow,  which  it  seemed  their  object  to  gain, 
and  by  which  the  house  was  more  easily  assailable. 
"We  now  felt  confident  that  some  of  their  party 


206          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

must  be  familiar  with  the  ground,  for  no  stranger 
would  have  thought  of  approaching  through  the 
ravine.  We  shifted  our  ground  a  little  upon  seeing 
this,  and  threw  ourselves  further  to  the  right,  where 
we  still  maintained  the  advantage  of  our  elevated 
position.  Learning  all  this  manoeuvring,  the  wives 
of  our  friends,  and  my  mother  came  out,  almost 
crazy  with  alarm,  yet  not  daring  to  make  any  noise 
for  fear  of  the  consequences.  My  father  peremp- 
torily ordered* them  back  without  explanation. 
Our  eyes  were  still  intent  on  our  foes,  when  they 
suddenly  stopped  near  a  spring  which  gushed  out 
of  the  hill  below  us,  and  there  remained  until  the 
moon  rising  higher  and  higher  threw  its  clear 
detecting  light  over  the  scene,  and  discovered  to  us 
that  our  enemies  were  six  of  our  horses  that  had 
broken  loose  from  their  pasture !  What  a  change 
from  the  sublime  to  the  ridiculous.  In  an  instant 
we  discovered  the  curious  causes  which  led  to  our 
mistake.  Six  horses  belonging  to  us  and  our 
neighbors  had  been  tied  together  abreast,  and  hop- 
pled to  prevent  their  straying.  It  turned  out  that 
they  had  been  without  water  for  two  days  previously 
and  incited  by  thirst,  had  broken  into  the  wheat- 
field.  In  this  they  picked  up  what  they  could  and 
finding  their  thirst  increase,  had  followed  the  line 
of  fence  till  they  came  to  the  one  running  across  it. 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  207 

Here  they  had  wheeled  to  the  right,  and  followed 
the  fence  until  they  came  to  the  object  of  their 
search,  the  spring  of  water,  where  they  halted, 
for  very  good  reasons.  While  we  all  were  truly 
thankful  that  we  had  no  cause  of  fear,  some  of  the 
party  were  almost  disappointed  in  not  being  able 
to  exchange  shots,  after  so  much  excitement  and 
such  unremitting  vigilance. 

I  have  before  mentioned  that  my  father  was  one 
of  those  people  who  could  be  happy  in  the  woods, 
and  with  his  gun  on  his  shoulder  wander  for  days 
together  in  search  of  game, 

"  Fast  by  the  forest  and  the  limpid  spring." 
One  morning  at  the  time  of  the  events  I  have  just 
related,  we  heard  distinctly  as  from  the  other  side 
of  the  river  the  report  of  small  arms  discharged  in 
quick  succession.  We  rushed  to  the  door  as  if  in 
doubt  whether  the  noise  foreboded  the  approach  of 
an  enemy  or  of  huntsmen.  A  fog  hung  over  the 
water,  and  by  intervals  grew  thinner  or  denser  as 
the  breath  of  morning  parted  it,  or  condensed  its 
snowy  banks.  Through  one  of  these  intervals  thus 
ofiered  to  our  vision,  my  keen  eyed  mother  saw  a 
deer  vigorously  dashing  through  the  water,  and 
making  for  our  shore.  As  she  exclaimed  aloud  at 
what  she  saw,  my  father  instantly  seized  his  gun 
which  hung  pendant  from  theMtchen  wall,  and  with 


208  REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

the  keen  anticipation  of  sport  hurried  down  to  the 
river  side.  Sure  enough  he  was  lustily  stemming  the 
torrent,  and  as  expressed  in  the  words  of  the  mo- 
dern melody, 

"  Wide  spreading  his  antlers,  erecting  his  head, 
A  stag  all  his  enemies  scorning." 

As  he  approached,  his  antlers  seemed  larger  than 
usual,  and  it  was  soon  perceptible  that  he  was  a 
full  grown,  vigorous  and  powerful  animal.  As  soon 
as  he  came  near  the  shore  my  father  fired,  but  a 
hesitation  in  his  movements  rendered  his  effort 
vain.  The  ball  struck  his  horns,  as  was  afterwards 
discovered,  passed  through  one  of  them,  and  had 
broken  off  the  prong  of  the  other.  It  seemed  to 
make  no  kind  of  impression  upon  him.  He  shook  his 
head  once,  but  still  buffeted  the  waves  and  made 
steadily  for  the  shore  where  my  father  stood,  un- 
fortunately unprepared  for  a  second  shot,  and  yet 
determined  not  to  let  the  deer  escape.  He  threw 
down  his  gun  and  picked  up  a  stake  that  lay  near 
him,  and  as  the  creature  left  the  water  raised  his 
arm  to  give  the  mortal  blow.  What  was  his  vexa- 
tion when  his  weapon  proved  perfectly  rotten  and 
broke  in  pieces,  without  doing  any  injury  to  his 
antagonist,  who  now  boldly  pressed  upon  him, 
caught  him  between  the  horns,  and  with  a  desper- 
ate fury  ran  him  against  the  bank.  It  was  a  criti- 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.  209 

cal  moment,  the  least  turn  of  his  head  would  have 
passed  the  prongs  through  his  body.  My  father 
here  discovered  his  presence  of  mind  by  making 
use  of  the  very  instruments  of  death.  He  seized 
them  fast  at  the  ends,  and  converting  them  into 
levers,  their  length  giving  him  power,  he  succeeded 
in  throwing  the  animal  on  his  side,  and  they  both 
fell  together  both  panting  and  both  remaining  still 
as  if  to  gather  new  strength  for  the  next  encounter. 
At  this  period  of  tl^e  combat,  I  came  down  from 
our  house  attended  by  a  hired  servant,  and  our 
astonishment  was  not  a  little  excited  in  beholding 
the  situation  of  the  combatants.  "We  had  brought 
with  us  a  fresh  supply  of  ammunition,  but  it  seemed 
to  be  of  little  value  at  the  critical  moment.  My 
father  cried  out  to  his  servant  to  take  a  knife  out 
of  his  pocket  as  he  lay  there  and  cut  the  stag's 
throat.  Unfortunately  the  boy  had  a  knife  of  his 
own,  and  in  spite  of  its  well  known  dullness,  which 
a  sportive  kitchen-maid  had  in  pure  frolic  effected, 
he  seemed  intent  on  making  it  the  minister  of  death. 
"  Take  my  knife,"  cried  my  father.  "  I've  got  one 
sir,"  was  all  the  answer,  and  forthwithhe  commenced 
cutting  or  rather  scratching  the  throat  of  the  pros- 
trate deer.  It  had  precisely  a  contrary  effect  from 
what  was  intended.  It  produced  a  tickling  sensa- 
tion in  the  region  of  the  epiglottis,  which  aroused 


210          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

the  dormant  energies  of  the  intended  victim.  In 
an  instant  he  was  on  his  legs,  but  so  was  my  father. 
He  was  too  keen  to  forego  the  attempt  which  the 
stupidity  of  the  servant  rendered  unavailing.  A 
violent  effort  by  means  of  the  aforesaid  levers, 
was  again  made,  and  the  deer  fearing  the  result, 
backed  off  towards  the  water,  as  if  determined  to 
make  his  next  place  of  lying  down  not  so  comforta- 
ble or  convenient.  In  spite  of  every  effort  the 
deer  got  in  deep  water,  and  my  father  in  letting 
go  his  hold  tumbled  backwards  on  the  shore.  The 
noble  animal 

"  Up  the  mid  stream  to  waft  along" 
made  redoubled  efforts,  which  excited  our  admira- 
tion, though  it  dashed  our  hopes.  My  father 
instantly  reloaded  his  piece  and  with  a  trembling 
hand  again  raised  it  to  fire.  The  shot  took  effect  in 
the  nose  of  the  animal,  but  it  was  not  a  mortal 
wound.  !Nb  way  dismayed  the  gallant  animal 
pushed  for  the  other  shore,  where  he  was  received 
with  a  new  volley  from  a  number  of  eager  pursuers. 
He  then  faced  about,  and  attempted  to  swim  up 
the  stream  beyond  the  reach  of  his  relentless  foes. 
My  father  followed  him,  and  watching  his  opportu- 
nity came  within  gunshot  of  him,  as  he  turned 
towards  a  wood  that  came  down  close  to  the  river 
side.  As  he  touched  the  shore  he  received  a  ball 


REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          211 

which  passed  through  his  heart  and  with  one  lofty 
bound  he  fell  lifeless  on  the  green  earth. 

As  my  father  stood  exulting  over  his  prize,  he 
was  suddenly  recalled  to  a  sense  of  his  own  injury 
by  observing  the  blood  trickling  from  his  hand, 
and  on  examination  discovered  that  it  was  severely 
wounded  in  this  singular  contest. 

In  1781  troops  were  still  continued  at  Saratoga, 
and  in  the  private  correspondence  of  General  Schuy- 
ler  and  his  friends,  at  that  period  it  was  urged  as  a 
matter  of  necessity.  I  remember  a  narrow  escape 
I  had,  with  another  young  person,  which  to  this  day 
is  remembered  with  terror.  "We  were  in  the  habit 
of  going  home  from  the  barracks  in  the  evening, 
where  we  then  were  employed,  and  after  visiting 
our  friends,  we  used  to  take  our  canoe,  and  cross 
over  from  the  eastern  shore  to  the  point  near  Schuy- 

ler's  flats,  and  then  walk  up  to  the  barracks.     As 

* 

we  were  always  in  possession  of  the  countersign, 
we  had  no  difficulty  in  passing  the  sentinels.  On 
one  occasion  however  during  a  dark  night,  as  we 
approached  the  shore,  perhaps  with  more  careless- 
ness than  usual,  in  consequence  of  my  having  been 
with  a  social  circle,  we  were  hailed  from  the  bank. 
Astonished  at  this  unusual  circumstance,  and  not 
being  accustomed  to  find  sentinels  posted  so  near 

the  water  we  were  silent.     We  were  again  hailed 
26 


212          REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES. 

and  were  again  silent,  but  in  an  instant  the  click- 
ing of  gun-locks  announced  to  us  our  danger.  I 
cried,  "Hold,  we  are  friends."  We  were  instantly 
ordered  to  wade  ashore  from  our  boat  and  give  our- 
selves up.  Unpleasant  as  the  mandate  was, 
we  were  glad  to  secure  our  personal  safety,  even  at 
this  inconvenience.  We  were  happily  relieved 
from  further  fears  by  recognizing  our  friends  from 
the  barracks  who  were  then  in  pursuit  of  some 
deserters,  and  who  fancied  they  heard  in  our  con- 
versation the  voices  of  the  absentees.  From  hence- 
forth we  gave  up  our  evening  visits.  If  I  remember 
right  a  Rhode  Island  regiment  was  then  doing  duty 
there. 

From  this  time  to  the  peace,  nothing  occurred  of 
much  moment  to  our  family.  I  remember  the 
accidental  death  of  a  party  of  soldiers  who  fell 
through  the  ice  near  our  house,  and  it  was  the  last 
incident  connected  with  the  troops  which  excited 
our  attention.  The  man  who  drove  them  unfortu- 
nately directed  his  course  towards  an  air  hole  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river  and  the  whole  party  fell 
in.  The  driver  got  out,  and  with  great  difficulty 
crept  up  to  a  hay-stack  in  the  field  by  the  river  side, 
where  he  passed  the  night  without  farther  injury. 
The  other  poor  fellows  were  drowned.  When  they 
were  taken  out  of  the  water  a  few  days  after  they 


[REVOLUTIONARY  REMINISCENCES.          213 

presented  the  most  horrible  appearance.  They 
appeared  to  have  been  frozen  in  all  the  different 
attitudes  possible  to  be  thought  of,  and  when  lying 
together  on  the  ice,  after  they  were  taken  out  of 
the  river,  presented  a  spectacle  which  can  scarce  be 
described. 

When  the  war  was  ended,  I  married,  and 
with  every  prospect  of  happiness  before  me,  re- 
moved to  a  beautiful  farm  upon  the  Batten  kil,  that 
to  this  day  bears  my  name.  Prosperity  filled  my 
sails,  and  when  my  father  died,  his  blessings  seemed 
to  rest  upon  my  head.  But  alas !  time  has  proved 
how  vain  are  our  expectations.  Investments  which 
promised  a  certain  return,  melted  away  from  my 
grasp.  Loans  which  were  based  upon  the  confi- 
dence of  friendship  were  never  repaid.  An  unfor- 
tunate brother  drew  upon  me  for  resources  that  I 
had  laid  up  for  my  own  declining  years.  In  a  day 
as  it  seemed,  all  my  fair  prospects  vanished  away. 
Even  hope  deserted  me,  and  I  have  only  a  few  more 
days  of  life  to  anticipate,  which,  while  they  seem  a 
narrow  space,  bring  with  them  at  least  the  consola- 
tion of  a  speedy  refuge  from  poverty  and  a  desolate 
old  age. 


[214] 


CONCLUSION. 

U  PON  a  reexamination  of  the  preceding  remi- 
niscences, the  editor  perceives  many  inadvertencies, 
and  some  inaccuracies,  not  attributable  to  himself, 
might  have  been  avoided  if  he  had  had  the  leisure 
to  examine  them  more  attentively  than  it  has  been 
in  his  power  to  do. 

He  frankly  admits  that  he  sets  forth  no  other 
claim  to  indulgence,  than  that  of  having  preserved 
some  minor  materials  to  be  found  nowhere  else,  in 
relation  to  the  Revolutionary  War. 


APPENDIX. 


LADY  HARRIET  ACKLAND. 

\JTEN.  Burgoyne's  expedition,  resulting  in  his  capture  at 
Saratoga,  by  Gen.  Gates,  "was  attended  by  many  romantic 
incidents.  Probably  the  best  account  of  it  extant  is  that 
of  Mr.  Street,  which  appeared  a  few  years  since  in  the 
Historical  Magazine,  edited  and  published  by  C.  B.  Richard- 
son. But  the  singular  fortunes  of  two  distinguished  foreign 
ladies  of  rank,  whose  husbands  were  officers  under  General 
Burgoyne,  have  given  an  interest  to  his  career  in  this 
country  which  would  not  have  been  otherwise  as  great. 
The  story  of  Lady  Harriet  Ackland  is  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  interesting  of  any  connected  with  the  personal  adven- 
tures of  the  Revolutionary  times,  and  has  been  the  subject  of 
much  comment  in  this  country  and  others,  by  biographers, 
poets  and  historians.  Even  the  canvass  was  employed  to 
perpetuate  her  affection  for  her  husband,  and  her  courage  in 
exposing  herself  in  her  attempt  to  join  him  while  he  was 
wounded  and  a  prisoner.  The  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  Au- 
gust 1815,  states  that  a  picture  of  her  ladyship  standing  in  a 
boat,  waving  her  pocket  handkerchief  as  a  flag  of  truce,  was 
exhibited  at  the  Royal  Academy  in  London.  Mr.  Lossing 
in  his  Pictorial  Field  Book  of  the  Revolution  embellishes 
the  68th  page  of  his  first  volume  with  a  neat  vignette  of  the 
same  scene.  It  appears  from  the  researches  of  Mr.  Richard- 
son, which  were  very  thorough,  that  the  received  version  of 
her  career  after  returning  home,  was  entirely  different  from 


216  APPENDIX. 

the  true  one.  That  which  emanated  from  Gen.  Wilkinson,  and 
is  to  be  found  in  his  curious  memoirs,  and  which  was  adopted 
by  Mr.  Lossing  and  Mrs.  Ellett,  hitherto  considered  to  be 
correct,  is  far  from  being  so.  The  following  appears  to  be 
the  facts,  and  they  are  worthy  of  being  annotated  in  this 
little  work. 

Lady  Harriet  was  the  fifth  daughter  of  Stephen,  the 
first  Earl  of  Ilchester,  and  cousin  of  the  celebrated  Charles 
James  Fox.  Her  name  was  Christina  Caroline,  and  she  was 
born  in  1750,  married  to  John  Dyke  Ackland,  eldest  son  of 
Sir  Thomas  Dyke  Ackland,  and  died  in  1815  at  the  age  of 
65  years,  surviving  her  distinguished  husband  37  years. 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  in  its  notice  of  her  death,  styled 
her  the  Right  Honorable  Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  sister  of 
the  late  Earl  of  Ilchester,  and  mother  of  Kitty  who  became 
the  countess  of  Carnarvon.  This  last  mentioned  lady  married 
her  husband  when  he  was  only  Lord  Porchester,  probably  her 
cousin,  and  died  two  years  before  her  mother.  There  is  a 
curious  fact  worth  noticing,  that  her  eldest  sister  was  also  in 
the  colonies,  though  long  previous  to  the  ad  vent  of  Lady  Har- 
riet. She  was  the  Lady  Susannah  Sarah,  and  was  the  wife 
of  Wm.  O'Brien  who  came  out  in  1764,  and  was  an  actor  on 
the  stage  in  London  previously  to  his  appearance  on  that  of 
Philadelphia.  In  Graydon's  interesting  memoirs  may  be 
found  a  notice  of  this  couple,  to  which  those  who  are  curious 
in  biography  may  easily  refer.  She  died  in  England,  1833. 
Lady  Harriet's  first  experience  of  the  hardships  of  a  camp 
life  was  when  she  attended  her  husband  while  sick  in  a  miser- 
able hut  at  Chambly.  Afterwards,  when  he  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Hubbardton  in  July  1777,  which  was  lost  by  our 
troops  under  Colonels  Warner,  Francis  and  Hale,  and  gained 
by  Generals  Frazer  and  Riedesel,  she  left  Montreal  where  she 
was  staying,  to  join  him  at  Skenesborough.  There  after  their 
reunion  but  a  short  time,  their  tent  took  fire  in  consequence 


APPENDIX.  217 

of  the  upsetting  of  a  candle  by  a  favorite  dog.  She  resolved 
to  continue  with  him  and  share  his  fortunes,  and  was  within 
sound  of  the  guns  at  the  battle  of  the  7th  of  October  when 
Col.  Cilley  distinguished  himself  in  a  successful  charge  on 
the  British  artillery,  and  Major  Ackland  was  wounded  and 
conveyed  to  the  rear.  The  enemy  retiring  in  disorder,  Lady 
Harriet  was  obliged  to  take  what  refuge  she  could,  among 
the  wounded  and  dying,  the  tents  having  all  been  struck 
and  scarce  a  shed  left  to  shelter  the  unfortunate  stragglers. 
When  she  subsequently  discovered  that  he  was  a  prisoner 
at  the  quarters  of  G-en.  Poor,  she*resolved  to  go  to  him,  and 
asked  permission  through  Lord  Petersham,  the  aid  of  Gren. 
Burgoyne,  to  repair  to  the  American  camp.  This  was  readily 
given,  and  a  note  was  also  addressed  by  him  to  the  American 
commander,  asking  his  protection  for  this  heroic  woman. 
Much  as  General  Burgoyne  afterwards  indulged  iu  literary 
composition,  he  never  surpassed  the  elegance  of  that  com- 
unication  to  Gen.  Gates,  written  on  a  dirty  piece  of  paper 
and  in  great  haste.  It  is  still  existing  among  the  Gates  papers 
in  the  archives  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  It 
reads  thus  : 

"  Sir :  Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  a  lady  of  the  first  distinction 
of  family,  rank  and  personal  virtues,  is  under  such  concern 
on  account  of  Major  Ackland,  her  husband,  wounded  and  a 
prisoner  in  your  hands,  that  I  can  not  refuse  her  request  to 
commit  her  to  your  protection.  Whatever  general  impropriety 
there  may  be  in  persons  in  my  situation  and  yours  to  solicit 
favors,  I  can  not  see  the  uncommon  perseverance  in  every 
female  grace  and  exaltation  of  character  of  this  lady,  and 
her  very  hard  fortune,  without  testifying  that  your  atten- 
tion to  her  will  lay  me  under  obligations. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
J.  BURGOYNE. 


218  APPENDIX. 

Armed  with  this  note  and  attended  by  her  maid,  Pollard, 
and  Mr.  Brudenell  the  celebrated  chaplain  who  read  the  fun- 
eral service  of  Gen.  Frazer  under  a  heavy  fire  of  the  Ameri. 
can  artillery,  with  her  husband's  valet,  to  attend  them, 
drenched  in  a  twelve  hours'  rain,  and  without  food  during 
that  time,  this  brave  lady  entered  a  boat  on  the  Hudson 
at  sunset,  and  facing  a  storm  of  wind  and  waves,  after  a 
most  perilous  voyage  reached  the  outposts  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. Here  being  challenged  by  the  sentinels,  she  replied 
in  her  own  "  clear  silvery  tones,"  the  purpose  of  her 
approach,  and  was  most  kindly  received  by  Major,  afterwards 
General  Dearborn.  At  his  quarters  she  was  refreshed  by  a 
cup  of  tea  and  other  comforts,  and  informed,  to  her  infinite 
satisfaction,  that  her  husband  was  safe.  In  the  morning 
Gen.  Gates  received  her  with  parental  affection  and  sent 
her  to  her  husband's  quarters,  where  the  attached  pair  were 
y  once  more  united.  After  this  surrender  they  were  sent  to 
.  Albany,  where  they  received  every  attention  from  the  family 
/  of  Gen.  Schuyler,  at  his  mansion  in  the  southern  part  of 
„>  the  city,  which  still  remains  in  good  repair,  and  from  thence 
they  proceeded  to  New  York,  where  Major  Ackland  gratefully 
employed  himself  in  giving  relief  to  the  American  prisoners 
confined  there,  and  which  they  much  needed.  Then  they  de- 
parted their  own  country,  where  Major  Ackland  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  colonel  and  the  command  of  a  regiment.  He 
died  at  his  home  at  Pixton,  in  Somersetshire,  on  the  31st  Oct., 
1778,  but  whether  from  his  wounds  received  at  Saratoga  or 
some  other  cause,  is  not  clearly  stated.  Lady  Harriet  died 
in  the  year  already  mentioned,  at  her  residence,  Felton  house, 
also  in  Somersetshire.  It  seems  she  had  a  son,  Sir  John,  who 
succeeded  to  the  baronetcy  of  his  grandfather,  Sir  Thomas, 
the  7th  successor,  and  a  daughter  Kitty,  already  mentioned, 
whose  husband  was  probably  her  cousin  and  the  ancestor  of 
her  present  earl.  Her  gand-children  andgreat-grand-childrent 


APPENDIX.  219 

are  now  living.  Apart  from  the  great  misfortune  of  hav- 
ing lost  her  gallant  husband,  she  enjoyed  for  the  latter  portion 
of  her  life  great  tranquillity,  respect  and  happiness.  It 
would  thus  seem  that  the  story  of  Colonel  -Ackland's  duel 
and  his  loss  of  life  in  the  encounter,  and  her  becoming  for  a 
time  a  maniac,  as  well  as  her  subsequent  marriage  to  W.  Bru- 
denell  are  quite  apochryphal.  Romance  as  well  as  our  taste  is 
better  satisfied  with  the  truth,  which  is  consistent  with  her 
previous  devotion  to  her  husband  and  the  suffering  she 
endured  for  him. 


THE  CLINTON  AND  VAN  SCHAICK  MANUSCRIPTS. 

Governor  DeWitt  Clinton  was  not  only  a  statesman,  a 
naturalist  and  a  classical  scholar,  but  an  antiquarian,  and 
had  a  great  regard  for  documents  and  papers  relating  to  our 
ante-revolutionary  and  post  revolutionary  history.  He  pre- 
served with  much  care  the  numerous  papers  of  his  father, 
Gen.  James  Clinton,  and  his  grandfather  Col.  Charles  Clin- 
ton, all  which  he  had  bound  in  several  volumes  and  were  well 
preserved.  In  these,  the  writer  of  this  note  found  very 
curious  letters  from  officials  of  high  rank  and  literary  per- 
sonages. Among  these  now  remembered  was  an  autograph 
letter  of  Jane  Golden  the  daughter  of  Lt.  Gov.  Golden,  one 
of  the  most  eminent  savans  of  his  day.  This  lady's  respect 
for  one  of  the  favorite  studies  of  her  father,  procured  from 
his  friend  and  correspondent  Linneus  the  celebrated  Swed- 
ish botanist,  the  honor  of  her  name  being  given  to  an  annual 
plant  belonging  to  the  4th  order.  What  became  of  these 
valuable  manuscripts  is  not  now  known.  It  is  to  be  hoped  they 
are  in  good  hands.  Gov.  Clinton's  diary,  continued  up  to 
the  day  of  his  death,  is  preserved  at  the  N.  Y.  Historical 
27 


220  APPENDIX. 

Society,  and  is  said  to  have  been  used  by  the  Hon.  W.  Camp- 
bell of  Cherry  Valley  in  his  biography  of  the  Governor. 

The  Van  Schaick  Manuscripts. 

Col.  Gozen  Van  Schaick,  afterwards  a  general  in  the  regular 
service,  which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death  left  a  quan- 
tity of  papers,  and  letters,  private  and  official,  a  large  portion  of 
which  were  lost  or  destroyed  after  his  death  by  accident  as 
is  supposed.    Those  that  were  fortunately  preserved  consisted 
of  letters  from  the  Clintons,  a  large  number  of  autographs 
from  Gen.  Washington  of  the  most  confidential  and  flatter- 
ing character,  showing  that  he  held  him  in  high  estimation 
as  a  man  of  sound  judgment  as  well  as  a  gallant  soldier, 
and  others  from  officers  under  whom  he  served  when  in  the 
provincial  service,  such  as  Sir  Jefiery  Amherst,  which  are  a 
beautiful  specimen  of  chirography,  and  to  whom  he  owed  his 
first  commission  in  the  British  army.  Among  them  is  a  charac-' 
teristic  letter  from  Gen.  Montgomery  containing  the  most  / 
humane  and  generous   sentiments  and  quite  a  number  of   / 
commissions  with  ponderous  seals,  with  the  autograph  of  \ 
George  3d,  and  communications  from  Generals  Gates,  Schuy-  1 
ler  Clinton  and  others.     What  remain  of  this  once  valuable   D 
collection  are  carefully,  reserved  by  his  grandson  Henry  Van     / 
Schaick   and   other  descendants.     The  copies  of  some   of 
them,  now  for  the  first  time  in  print,  are  subjoined. 


By  His  Excellency  Je.ffery  Amherst  Esq;  Major  General, 
&  Commander  in  Chief  of  all  His  Majesty's  Forces  in 
North  America. 

To  Lieut:  Colonel  VanSchaick  of  the  New  York  troops. 

You  are  hereby  Ordered  &  directed  to  march  Early  to- 
morrow morning,  with  Lieut:  Welsh,  and  the  Sixteen  men 


APPENDIX.  221 

of  the  above  Troops  mustered  here  this  day  taking  under 
Your  Care  the  Hospital  Stores,  &c.  belonging  to  the  New- 
York  Regiments,  &  applying  to  Colonel  Bradstreet,  who  will 
furnish  You  with  Waggons  to  transport  them  to  Schenectady. 
On  your  Arrival  at  Schenectady,  You  will  Apply  to  Mr. 
Glenn,  for  a  Batteau,  or  Batteaus,  if  necessary,  to  Transport 
the  said  Stores  up  the  River ;  and  You  will  then  with  the 
Whole,  &  your  Detachment,  proceed,  with  the  Utmost  Expe- 
dition to  Oswego,  by  the  Route  of  Fort  Stanwix,  where  the 
Commanding  officer  will  give  you  Assistance  in  getting  your 
stores  &c.  over  the  Carrying  place. 

You  will  receive  provisions  here  for  Your  Detachment, 
for  three  days,  to  Com  pleat  them  to  the  First  of  July  Inclu- 
sively, taking  a  Note  from  the  Commissary  to  shew  to  what 
time  You  receive  said  provisions,  by  which  You  will  be 
Entitled  to  Draw  for  more  as  they  become  due,  at  the  several 
posts  on  Your  Route.  On  Your  Arrival  at  Oswego,  You 
will  shew  these  Orders  to  Major  Duncan  Commanding  in 
Fort  Ontario ;  and  then  You  will  with  Your  Detachment 
Join  Your  Regiment. 

Given  under  my  Hand  at  Headquarters,  in  Albany,  this 

29th  Day  of  June  1761. 

JEFF  AMHERST. 

By  his  Excellency's  Command : 

ARTHUR  MAIR. 


ALBANY  Augst  10th 
Sir 

The  Troops  are  to  be  forwarded  to  Ticonderoga  as  fast  as 
they  may  arrive  or  as  soon  as  those  under  your  immediate 
command  can  be  furnished  with  such  articles  as  are  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  enable  them  to  take  the  field  with  this 
limitation  —  not  more  than  500  men  in  a  division  with  an 


222  APPENDIX. 

interval  of  three  days  between  each  division — You  will 
give  timely  notice  to  "Walter  Livingston  Esq.  D:  C  :  G  :  of 
the  Quantity  of  provision  &  number  of  waggons  wanted  for 
each  division  —  whose  activity  and  zeal  for  the  service  will 
induce  him  to  do  all  in  his  power  in  forwarding  this  impor- 
tant Business,  the  troops  to  incamp  at  the  Half  Moon  till 

they  are  ready  to  march Eight  days  provision  will  be 

necessary  from  thence  to  Ticonderoga.  The  troops  will  turn 
off  from  Fort  Edward  to  Skenesborough  where  boats  will 
be  ready  to  receive  them  —  the  Baggage  &  invalid  must  go 
by  way  of  Fort  George  under  a  sufficient  escort — A  Field 
officer  of  your  regt  to  repair  immediately  to  take  the  com- 
mand at  Fort  George  —  Such  sick  as  it  may  be  improper  to 
move,  must  remain  in  this  town  —  the  Commissary,  will  have 
care  taken  of  them  when  any  division  marches,  you  will  by 
that  conveyance  inform  the  General,  what  day  another  divis- 
ion may  be  expected  at  Skenesborough  that  Boats  may  be 
ordered  to  attend  there  —  Shoud  this  be  uncertain  You  will 
advise  him  by  way  of  Fort  George,  upon  the  march  of  a 
division  from  hence 

Upon  Colonel  Mc  Dougal's  arrival  (who  will  command 
during  his  stay  here)  you  will  make  him  acquainted  with 
these  instructions  &  recommend  it  to  him  in  my  name  to  go 
by  way  of  Fort  George  lest  his  health  so  precious  to  the 
publick  shoud  suffer  by  lying  in  the  woods  two  or  three 
nights  without  a  tent  if  he  march  with  the  men.  You  will 
use  your  own  discretion  in  determining  what  Companies  of 
your  own  regt,  go  first.  I  entreat  you  to  inforce  good  order,' 
that  individuals  may  not  suffer  in  their  property  — 

Let  no  pains  be  omitted  to  impress  the  men  with  just 
notions  of  our  duty  to  society — &  how  infamous  it  is  in  us, 
who  have  arms  in  our  hands  for  the  protection  of  our  fellow 
Citizens  to  betray  that  trust,  by  any  violation  of  their  right  — 

KiCHd  MONTGOMERY, 
LT.  COLO.  VAN  SCHAICK.  Brigr  Genl. 


APPENDIX.  223 

ALBANY  19^  August  1777. 
Sir 

General  Washington,  by  the  Direction  of  the  Honourable 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  having  ordered  me  to 
take  the  Command  of  the  Army  in  the  Northern  Depart- 
ment ;  I  think  proper  to  acquaint  you  therewith,  and  also 
•with  my  Approbation  of  your  Appointment  to  command  in 
this  City — As  Colonel  Cortlandts  &  Col.  Livingston's  Regi- 
ments, are  hourly  expected  here  from  Peeks  Kill ;  you  will 
immediately  upon  their  Arrival,  inform  them,  that  it  is  my 
orders  they  march  as  soon  as  convenient  to  the  Grand  Camp 
at,  or  near  Half-moon;  and  acquaint  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  those  two  Regiments,  that  he  apply  to  the  Ass.  D.  Q.  M. 
General,  for  Boats  to  carry  the  Baggage,  who  has  my  order 
to  supply  Him  —  The  Vicinity  of  the  Enemy  to  this  City, 
renders  it  extremely  necessary  that  you  should  observe  the 
Exactest  Discipline,  and  keep  the  most  Vigilant  Guard ; 
constantly  sending  Patroles  and  Out  Scouts,  to  prevent  a 
sudden  surprize. —  You  cannot  be  too  frequent  in  ordering 
your  Rounds  to  keep  the  sentrys  alert ;  carefully  attending 
to  those  who  are  plac'd  upon  the  different  Stores,  and  Maga- 
zines; You  will  also  have  a  very  attentive  Eye  to  the  Militia 
of  the  City,  who  will  in  every  thing  be  directed  by  the  Com- 
mittee to  Cooperate  with  the  Continental  Troops  —  You  will 
continually  report  to  me  all  Extraordinarys  and  without  the 
least  delay  forward  all  Expresses  and  Intelligence  to  me  at 
the  Grand  Camp.  The  Asst.  D.  Q.  M.  General,  has  my  Or- 
ders to  provide  Horses  and  Expresses,  whenever  you  think 
proper  to  Demand  them  from  him  —  When  any  News  or 
matter  of  Importance,  is  to  be  communicated  to  me,  You 
will  be  careful  to  send  it  by  some  Officer  or  Express,  in 
whom  you  repose  the  utmost  Confidence.  Many  Misfortunes 
arise  by  employing  Treacherous  Persons  to  convey  Letters 
—  As  the  Militia  now  upon  the  March  from  the  Eastern, 


224  APPENDIX. 

and  Southern  States  arrive ;  You  will  acquaint  them  it  is 
my  Orders,  they  do  not  loiter  in  Albany,  but  proceed  with- 
out any  unnecessary  Delay  to  the  Grand  Camp  These, 
with  such  Orders,  and  Directions,  as  you  may  have  hereto- 
fore received  from  the  Honble.  Major  Gen1  Schuyler  are  to 
be  the  rule  and  line  of  your  present  Conduct,  as  Circum- 
stances require  you  will  receive  further  Directions  from  me — 
I  am  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

Humble  Servant 

HORATIO  GATES 
Col.  Goose  Van  Schaick,  Commanding  in  Albany. 


We  whose  Names  are  hereunto  Subscribed,  do  acknowledge 
to  have  received  of  Colo.  Van  Schaick,  the  sum  set 
against  each  of  our  Names,  as  part  of  our  pay  due  from 
the  Publick. 

CAMP  CONTINENTAL  VILAQE,  9th  Oct'  1778. 

Benjn  Hicks  Capt £48  0  0 

Andrew  Finch  jr.  Capt 48  0  0 

Jn°H.  Wendall  Capt 48  0  0 

Bar.  J.  V.  Valkenburgh  Lieut 28  0  0 

Adril  Therwood  Lieut 28  0  0 

C°  Sweet.  Mate, 40  0  0 

Jn°  C.  Ten  Broeck  Lt 28  0  0 

Wilhelmus  Ryckman  Ensign 24  0  0 

Jacob  F.  Clark  Ensign 24  0  0 

Wm.  Mead  Surgeon 72  0  0 

A.  Hardenburgh  Lieu' 28  0  0 

Jeremiah   Meller  Ensn 2400 

Christopher  Miller  Lieut 28  0  0 


APPENDIX.  225 

Benjamin  Gilbert  Ensign 24  0  0 

Barent  S.  Salisbury  Q.  M 28  0  0 

Natht  Henry  L'  while  Sick  at  Peekskill  40 

Dollars 16  0  0 

Nicho' V.  Rensselaet  Lt 24  0  0 

Benj!1  Ledyard  Major 44  0  0 

In°  Graham  Capt.  45  Dollars 10 

W.  Scudder  Lieut.  45  Dollars 18 

John  Ten  Broeck  H  60  Dollars 24 

Jacob  Wendall  Ensign  90  Dollrs 36 


HEAD  QRS.  MIDDLE  BROOK  May  9th  1779 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  been  favored  with  your  Letter  of  the  29th  Ulto — 

The  Rifle  company  is  to  march  with  the  troops.  I  did 
not  mention  it  particularly,  as  I  considered  it  attached  to 
Colo  Butler's  Regiment  and  that  the  order  for  their  march 
would  comprehend  it. 

With  respect  to  artille/y  the  propriety  of  taking  any,  or 
how  much  with  you,  will  depend  and  must  be  decided  by 
yourself  on  a  consideration  of  circumstances.  If  you  form 
a  junction  with  General  Sullivan  at  Tioga  —  He  will  have 
as  much  with  him  as  he  shall  judge  necessary — Which 
may  supersede  the  necessity  of  your  carrying  any ;  if  it 
should  be  finally  determined  that  you  are  to  operate  up  the 
Mohawk  river  —  it  may  be  more  material  to  have  some  with 
you.  In  either  case  you  will  consider  the  practicability  or 
facility  and  the  use  of  carrying  it  —  and  the  smaller  the 
number  and  the  Lighter  the  pieces  the  better. 

The  Enterprize  commanded  by  Colo  Van  Schaick  merits 
my  approbation  and  thanks  —  and  does  great  honor  to  him 
and  all  the  Officers  &  men  engaged  in  it.  The  issue  is  very 


226  APPENDIX. 

interesting. —  I  have  written  him  a  line  upon  the  occasion. — 
With  respect  to  the  prisoners  —  I  have  requested  General 
Schuyler  to  have  such  measures  pursued  for  their  effectual 
security  —  as  he  may  deem  necessary. —  Their  capture  may 
prove  an  important  event —  and  produce  very  salutary  con- 
sequences—  if  they  are  securely  kept. —  Congress  have 
been  made  acquainted  with  the  whole  of  the  Enterprize  and 
its  success. 

I  am  Dr  Sir 

With  great  regard 
Yr  most  Obed  Sevt 

G°  WASHINGTON 
BniGADr  GEN1  CLINTON, 

(Copy.) 


ALBANY  June  15th  1782. 
Sir 

I  lament  the  occasion  which  renders  it  incumbent  on  me 
to  afford  you  a  testimonial  of  the  sense  I  entertain  of  your 
conduct.  I  sincerely  wish,  I  could  communicate  it  in  words 
equal  to  my  feelings,  and  to  my  experience  of  the  propriety 
of  it  during  a  series  of  years. 

The  early  decisive  and  active  part,  which  you  took  in  the 
favor  of  your  country  in  the  present  Contest,  justly  entitles 
you  to  the  attention  of  its  Friends;  we  are  not  less  indebted 
to  your  exertions  as  an  Officer,  your  service  whilst  I  had  the 
honor  of  commanding  the  military  in  this  Department,  were 
such,  as  attracted  my  notice,  your  close  attention  to  the  disci- 
pline of  your  Regiment,  afforded  a  beneficial  example  to 
officers  less  experienced  in  the  duties  of  their  offices,  The 
alacrity  with  which  you  executed  every  order,  The  propriety 
of  your  conduct  when  left  to  act  Independantly,  and  judge  for 


APPENDIX.  227 

your  self,  The  prudence  which  you  exhibited  on  occasions 
when  the  line  of  Conduct  to  be  held  was  delicate,  and 
important,  evinsed  a  clearness  of  judgment,  and  a  mind 
capable  of  resource,  &  created  a  confidence  of  which  I  never 
had  occasion  to  Kepent  —  Upon  the  whole  Sir  I  esteem  you 
a  valuable  Officer,  and  a  faithfull  servant  of  the  Public,  and 
should  have  been  rejoiced,  to  have  learnt  your  merit  re  warded, 
in  a  promotion  to  that  military  Kank,  which  you  claim  as 
your  due. 

Delicacy  would  have  prevented  my  saying  thus  much 
in  a  Letter  to  you,  but  to  have  said  less,  when  I  intend  you 
should  exhibit  this  to  any  person  or  persons  whom  you  con- 
ceive may  wish  to  be  advised  of  the  opinion  I  entertain  of 
you  as  an  Officer,  and  a  Citizen,  would  have  been  injurious 
to  truth. 

Wishing  you  a  speedy  and  tin  Honorable  extrication  from 
the  embarassments  which  distress  you, 
I  am  Sir 
very  sincerely 

your  obedient 
Humble  servant 

P.  SCHTJTLEE. 

COLO  V.  SCHAICK. 


FINIS. 


28 


INDEX. 


A  BERCROMBIE,  Gen.,  12,  13. 
•**>      defeated,  15. 
Ackland,  John  Dyke,  216. 
Kitty,  216,  218. 
Lady  Harriet,  86,  87,  91,  92, 
93,  216,  218. 
died,  218. 
Major,  86,  87,  89,  217. 

died,  218,  219. 
Sir  John,  218. 
Sir  Thomas,  218. 
Albany,  12,  13,  24,  25,  31,  35, 

54,  80,  82,  83,  218. 
city  prison,  132. 
farmers  stored  grain  at,  for 

safety,  180. 
tories,  82. 
tories,  threaten  to  blow  up 

jail,  133. 

troops  ordered  to,  153. 
Alexandria,  Abercrombie  wound- 
ed at,  15. 
Amherst,   Sir   Jeffrey,   19,   136, 

220,  221. 

Apathy  of  the  people,  21. 
Army  peculations,  17. 
stores,  12. 
moved  south,  124. 
Arnold,  Gen.,  letter  of,  44. 
love  of  plunder,  41. 
volunteer  captain,  23. 
volunteers   to  lead  detach- 
ment to  Fort  Stanwix,  126. 
Artillery,  transport   of,  26,   30, 

32,  33. 
Autographs,  220. 

T>  ATTEN  Kil,  16,  21,  213. 
-L>     Baxter,  a  tory,   127. 

his  sons  kill  Indians,  128. 
Bennington,  50. 
Berthiaume,  pretre,  45. 


Bethlehem,  85,  86. 

Cattle  wintered  at,  131. 
Block  houses,  159. 
Bloodgood,  S.  D.  W.,  iv. 
Bloody  pond,  157. 
Boom  at  Ticonderoga,  51. 
Boston,  23. 

church  desecrated,  130. 
Bostonian  affair,  46. 
Boyle,  Mr.,  29. 
Bradstreet,  Col.,  13,  14,  15,18, 

221. 

Brant,  141,  144,  160,  166. 
Bridge  at  Ticonderoga,  51,  57. 

floating,  99. 
British    army    surrender,    115, 

120. 

hams  in  river,  138. 
horses  captured,  109. 
powder  taken,  112,  113. 
soldiers  abusive,  122. 
Brudenell,   Rev.  Mr.,    91,   218, 

219. 

Bullets  chewed  by  French,  30. 
Burgoyne,  Gen. ,  63,64,  82,  89,91, 
92,    94,  99,   104,  110, 112, 
114,    115,    117,  118,  119, 
120,  121,    124,  130,  138, 
139,  141,  215. 
retreat  of,  90,  91. 
letter  to  Gates,  217. 
army    captures  continental 

money,  58. 

surrenders  sword,  119. 
Buttonwood  tree,  156. 

pAISSONS  sunk  at  Ticondero- 
^       ga,  51. 
Caldwell,   177. 
Cambridge,  76. 
Campbell,  Hon.  W.,  219. 
Camp  followers,  106,  106. 


230 


INDEX. 


Canada,  44. 

expedition,  157. 
Canasaraga,  151. 
Capitulation,  114. 
Captives,  162. 
Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  42. 
Carnarvon,    Kitty,  countess   of, 

216,  218. 

Carroll,  Cbarles,  45. 
Cliambly,  captured,  42. 
Chambly,  Acltland  at,  87,  216. 
Chase,  Samuel,  45. 
Church  at  Saratoga  saved,  90. 
Cilley,    Col.,    charges    British, 

217. 

Clark,  Ensign  Jacob  F.,  224. 
Clarke,  Sir  Francis,  89. 
Claus,  Mr.,  31. 
Clavcrack,  33. 
Clinton,  Col.  Charles,  219. 

Col.  James,  44,  45. 

De  Witt,  44,  219. 

letters,  219. 

family  manuscripts   of,  iv, 
219. 

Gen.  James,  142,  219. 

Gov.  George,  177,  178. 

diary,  219. 

Clute,  Capt.,  finds  howitzer,  139. 
Cochran,   Maj.,  142. 
Colden,  Jane,  letter  of,  219. 

Lt,  Gov.,  219. 

life  threatened,  11. 
Congress,  animosity  against,  170. 
Continental  money,  46. 
Continentals,  detachment  of,  25. 

accoutrements  of,  26. 
Cortlandt,  Col. ,  2,  23. 
Creditors  to  government,  103. 
Crops  destroyed,  86. 
Crown  Point,  23,  41,  177. 

"T)EAN,  Mr.,  interpreter,  150. 
-^     Dearborn,  Gen.,  218. 

Mnj.  92. 

Deer,  fight  with,  207. 
DeRuyter,  Mr.,  17. 
DeRuyter's,  110. 
Deserters  captured,  79. 
Desser's  bay,  143. 
Dieskau,  Enron,  27,  29,  30. 
Dovacote,  86. 


Dry  goods,  transport  of,  13. 
Duncan,  Maj.,  221. 
Dunham,  Capt.,   184,  195,   196, 
197. 

"P  ASTERN  Militia,  97. 
-^     Ellett,  Mrs.,  216. 
Error  in  pagination,   184-95. 
Esopus,  124. 
Evans,  Lieut.,  147. 

TfALSE  alarm,  201,  202,  203-6. 

Felton  house,   218. 
Female  heroism,   174. 
Fermoy,  Gen.,   62. 
Finch,  Capt.  Andrew  jr.,  224. 
Fish  creek,  148. 
Fish  kil,  retreat  to,  104. 
Flag  of  truce  fired  at,  168. 
Flight  of  families,  68,  69,  73. 
Folly,  Montressor's,  25. 
Foraging,  99,  100. 
Fort  Anne,  54,  157. 
Fort  Brewerton,  143. 
Fort  Edward,  13,  64.  104,   157, 

158,  222. 

Fort  George,  25,  26,  27,  36,  157, 
222. 

hospital  at,  49. 

officered    by    Van   Schaick 

137. 

Fort  Lawrence,  110. 
Fort  Ontario,  221. 
Fort  Plain  invaded,  19. 
Fort  Schuyler,  142. 

Van  Schaick  at,  137. 
Fort  Stanwix,  18,  19,  125,   221. 
Fort  St.  Frederick,  23. 
Fox,  Charles  James,  216. 
French  habitans,  24. 

incursions,  17. 
Frazer,  Capt.,  79. 
Frazer,  Col.,  216. 
Frazer,  Gen.,  216,  218. 

burial  of,  218. 

schoolmaster,  79. 

GALL,  Brig.  Gen.,  122. 
Gates,   Gen.,  41,  88,    91, 
99,   101,  102,  106,  114, 
117,118,  119,215,  217, 
218,  220,  224. 


INDEX. 


231 


Gates  supercedes  Sullivan,   48. 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  215,  216. 
George  III,  letter  of,  220. 
Gerlach,  Gen.,  122. 
German  women,  106. 
Ghosts,  28. 
Gibbonsville,  154. 
Gilbert,  Ensign  Benjamin,  225. 
Glenn,  Mr.,   221. 
Glen's  Falls,  26,  158. 
Graham,  Capt.,  145,  146. 
Grain    stored     in    Albany    for 

safety,  180. 
Grand  Camp,  223. 
Graydon's  memoirs,  216. 
Green,  blacksmith,  195. 
Greenbush,  33. 
Guards  to  private  houses,  179. 

TTALE,  Col.,  216. 
±A-     Half  moon,  222. 
Hamilton,  Brig.  Gen.,  120. 
Hams  taken  out  of  river,  138. 
Hardenburg,    Lieut.   A,   224. 
Hay,  Col.,  51,  66,  57. 
Hazen,  Col.,  court  martialed,  41. 

Madame,  42. 

Hesse,  Hanau,  regL,  121. 
Hessians,  description  of,  120, 122. 

desertions  of,  121. 

singular  malady  of,  121. 
Hendrik,  162. 

killed,  29. 

Hicks,  Capt.  Benj.,  224. 
Historical  Magazine,  215. 
Holy  water  from  lake  St.  Sacra- 
ment, 36. 

Hoosick  river,  flight  to,  73. 
Horses    great  number  in    New 

York,  50. 

sold,  58. 

well  paid  for,  17. 
Hospitals  at  Fort  George,  49. 
Howitzer  found,  139. 
Hubbardton,  63,  88. 

battle  of,  216. 
Hudson  river,  30,  124. 

TCE,  crossing  on,  31,  47. 
•*•     sleighs  fall  through,  39. 

travel  on,  36,  37. 
Ilchester,  earl  of,  216. 


Indian  expedition,  142. 

disguise,  14.  „ 

marauders,  71. 
Indians  sheltered,  124. 

TAMES,  Major,  house  burned, 
"        11. 

J e,  Dirk  Van,  17. 

Johnson,  144. 
Dr.,  7. 
Sir  John,  67,  141,  166,  167, 

173,  175. 
Sir  William,  27,  29. 

T7"INGSTON,  Maj.,  120. 
1V     Knox,  Col.,  26,  35. 
Knute,  Capt.,  97,  115. 

T  ACOLE  river,  39. 
-^     Lafayette,  Gen.,  157. 
Lake  Champlain,  41,    62. 
Lake  George,  26,  177. 

army  at,   15,  I'/. 
Lake,  Mr.,  22,  71. 
Langemegen,  Sec.  122. 
Lansingb'urgh,  80,  81,  82. 
Lansings,  Mr.,  81. 

ferry,  30. 
Laprairie,  45. 

premium   for    crossing   at, 

43. 

Lexington,  news  of  battle,  20. 
Ligonier  valley,  62. 
Litters,  how  made,  96. 
Livingston,  Col.,  50,  223. 

Walter,   222. 
Longueil,  45. 
Lord  Howe  killed,  15. 
Lossing,  B.  J.,  215. 
Loudon,  Earl,  resigned,  12. 
Lovelass,  a  tory,  182,  197,  199, 

200. 

Tif'CREA,  Miss,  67,  124. 
•"•*•     McDole    captures    tories, 

134. 

McDougals,  Col.,  222. 
McNeil,  fires  at  his  son,  110, 

111. 

McPherson,  John,  43. 
Mabony,  John,  63,  54. 
Mair,  Arthur,  221. 


232 


INDEX. 


Manuscripts,  Clinton,  219. 

Van  Schaick,  219. 
Market  women,  46. 
Massachusetts,  flight  to,  75. 
Mead,  Surgeon  Wm.,  224. 
Military  costume,  169,  170. 

etiquette,  168-174. 
Militia  organized,  21,  22. 
Miller,  Ensign  Jeremiah,  224. 

Lieut.  Christopher,  224. 
Middleburgh  fort,  166. 
Mohawk,  154. 

country  invaded,  19. 

river,  18,  31. 
Montgomery,  Gen.,  42,  220. 

death  of,  40. 

Richard,  222. 
Montreal,  37,  45,  88. 

aspect  of,  43. 

market  women,  46. 

reinforcements  for,  47. 

travel  to,  on  ice,  36. 
Montressor's  folly,  25. 
Morgan,  Col.,  88. 
Mosse's  creek,  66. 
Mount  Independence,  51,  52. 

NED,  203. 
New  England,  80. 

flight  to,  73. 

Newspapers,  rarity  of,  11. 
New  York,  47. 

church  desecrated,  130. 
great  fire  at,  49. 
noted  for  horses,  50. 
Historical  Society,  217,  219. 
population   in  1775,  10. 
regt.    commanded   by   Van 
Schaick,  137. 

CVBRIEN,     Lady      Susannah 
Sarah,  216. 

William,  216. 
Odeurman,  195. 
Old  scow  place,  143. 
Old  south  church  a  riding  school, 

130. 

Old  sow,  34. 
Oneidas,  152. 
Oneida  embassy,  150,  151. 

lake,  143. 
Onondaga,  151. 


Onondaga  creek,  145. 

landing,  143. 

village  destroyed,  147,150. 
Onondagas,   141,  146,  150,  151. 
Ordnance  captured,  26,  30. 
Oswego,  221. 

expedition  against,  18. 

reduced,  12. 

TDATROON'S  ofiice  shelters  fu- 
gitives, 83. 

Pay  undrawn,  157. 

Peeks  Kill,  223. 

Pennsylvania  troops,  39,  42. 
produce  disaffection,  40. 

Peter,  priest,  150. 

Petersham,    Capt.    Lord,    120, 
217. 

Pictorial  Field  Book  of  the  Rev- 
olution, 215. 

Pixton,  218. 

Plunders  in  Burgoyne's  camp, 
104. 

Poelnitz,  Adj.  Gen.,  122. 

Point  Levi,  44,  45. 

Pollard,  Sarah,  91,  218. 

Poor's  quarters,  217. 

Porchester,  Lord,  216. 

Potheen  mare,  47. 

Poughkeepsie,  47,  48,  102. 

Powder  captured,  112. 

Preston,  Major,  42. 

Public  agents,  injustice  of,  102. 

f\UACKENBOSS,    Col.,    138, 
^       139. 
Quebec,  45,  47. 

besieged,  37,  39. 

•RATIONS  bad,  58. 
•**     short,  51 
Red  Hook,  12. 
Reghtmeyer,  Capt.,  174. 
Revolution,  known   as  a  Bosto- 

nian  affair,  46. 
Rhode  Island  regiment,  212. 
Richardson,  C.  B.,  215. 
Riedesel,  Baron,  216. 

Baroness,  113. 

Maj.  Gen.,  122. 

dragoons,  121. 
Root,  Gen.,  34- 


INDEX. 


233 


Ryckman     Ensign    Wilhelmus, 
224. 

C  ALEM,  110. 

°      Salisbury,  Barent  S.,  225. 
Salt  lake,  144. 
San  Coick,  76,  77,  78,  80. 
Saratoga,  25,  87,  121,  125,  126, 
138,  140,  153,  218. 

barracks,  198. 

battle  field,  124,  125. 

church  fired  at,  108. 
saved,  90. 

a  depot.  130. 

flight  from,  68,  69,  70,  73. 

infested  by  tories,  179. 

return  to,  95. 

troops  stationed  at,  211. 
Scalps  taken,  29. 
Schaghticoke,  94. 
Schenectady  139,  141,  148, 170, 
221. 

a  frontier,  141,  148. 

fortified,  12. 

Schodack  tories  taken,  132. 
Schoharie,  10,  12,  17,  164. 

burnt,  162,  165. 

refugees,  159. 
Scotch  animosity,  111. 
Scudder,  Lieut.  W.,  225. 
Schuyler  family,  hospitality   to 
Lady  Ackland,  218. 

flats,  90,  211. 

Gen.  Philip,  75,  77,  125, 
126,  127,  130,  137,  139, 
148,  170,  211,  220,  227. 

his  life  guard,  ISO,  179. 

his  popularity,  20. 

house,  199. 

idolized  by  Saratogians,  64. 

influence  of,  48. 

motives  impeached,  126. 

Mr.,  90. 

bridge  destroyed,  115. 

crops  destroyed,  86. 

island,  37. 

threatened,  117. 
Schuylerville,  115. 
Senecas  assist  British,  141. 
Sentinels,  narrow  escape  from, 

211. 
Sentry,  black,  203. 


Settlements  destroyed,  141. 
Seven  mile  Island,  147. 
Sheffield,  troops  from,  99. 
Skenandoah,  150. 
Skene,  Col.,  50. 
Skenesborough,     50,    59,    216, 

222. 

Sleighs,  novel  motive  power,  47. 
Soldiers  drowned,  212. 

rewarded,  114. 

wives  bring  water,  113. 
Specht,  Brig.  Gen.,  122. 

regiment,  121. 

Springfield  deposit  for  arms,  35. 
Stamp  paper,  11. 
Stark,  199. 
St.  Clair,  61,  62. 

denounced,  63. 

slandered,  65. 
St.  Johns,  42. 
St.  Leger  retreats,  127. 
St.  Sacrament  lake,  36. 
Stillwater,  declaration  read  at, 
48. 

flight  to,  73,  75,  76,  77. 
Stockwell,  Lieut.,  125. 
Street,  account  of  battle,  215. 
Sugar  Hill,  62. 
Sullivan,  Gen.,  142. 

at  Tioga,  225. 

superceded,  48. 
Swan,  Capt.,  46,  48. 
Swart,  Mr.  90. 

nPENBROECK,  John  L.,  225. 
x       Lt.  Jno.  C.,  224. 
TenEyck,  Mr.,  storekeeper,  12. 
Thermopylae,  red  man's,  145. 
Therwood  Lieut.  Adril,  224. 
Thomas,  Gen.,  40. 
Ticonderoga,  23,  51,  52,  56,  58, 
59,  61,  221,  222. 

abandoned,  63. 

going  to  decay,  36. 

inscription,  37, 

repaired  by  the  French,  24. 

threatened,  13. 
Tomhannock,  80. 

heroine  of,  75. 
Tories,  desperate  acts  of,  132. 

executed,  135. 
Tory  rendezvous,  195. 


234 


INDEX. 


Tory  execution,  199. 

Trenton,   battle   of,   originated 

by  St.  Clair,  62. 
Trophies,  26. 
Troy,  82. 

T 1,  Mr.,  21. 

Tull's  Mills,  77. 
Tuscaroras,  151,  152. 

•VTAN  ANTWERP'S  reefs,  95. 

Vandenburgh,  70,  71,  73. 
Van  Dyke,  Col.,  154. 

Lieut.  Col.,  136. 
Van  Rensselaer  family,  charac- 
ter of,  84. 

Lt.   Nicholas,  225. 
Van  Schaick,  Col.  Gozen,  141, 
142,  146,  149,    150,  170, 
220,  224,227. 

Col.,  complimented  by  Gen. 
Schuyler,  227. 

island,  86. 

Lieut.,  13. 

manuscript,  iv.  219. 

Henry,  220. 

regiment,  136. 

speech  of,  152. 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Lieut.  Bar, 

224. 
Van   Vechten,   Col.,    139,    140, 

183,  184,  199. 
Van  V—,  Major,  94,  95. 
Van  W  — , William,  54. 
Vauxhall  destroyed,  11. 
Verplank,  Philip,  12. 
V.,  Mrs.,  203. 
Vrooman,  Capt.,  173. 

Ephraim,  163. 


Vrooman's  flats,  160. 
John,  159,  160,  162. 

T^TAG  ONERS'  bivouac,  37. 

discharged,  18. 

escape  impressment,  54. 

fraud  of,  17. 

impressed,  12,  13. 
Warner,  Col.,  157,  158,  216. 

captured  Ticonderoga,  24. 

trophies  of,  25. 

a  lodging  place,  24. 
Washington, Gen.,  138,  141,223. 
Watch,  mode  of,  180. 
Watervliet,   154. 
Welsh,  Lieut.,  220. 
Wendall,  Capt.  John  H.,  224. 

Ensign  Jacob,  225. 
Westfield,  first  cannons  at,  34, 35. 
West  Indies,  15. 
West  Troy  incorporated,  154. 
Wilkinson,  Gen.,  216. 

Major,  88,  91,114. 
Willett,  Col.  Marsinus,  125,  142. 
Wing's  corner,  158. 
Whitehall,  formerly  Skenesboro, 

50. 

W.,  Major,  168,  174. 
Wolf  caught,  131. 
Wolfe,  Gen.,  41,  61. 
Women,    followers   of    British 

army,  105,  122. 
Wood  creek,  142, 148. 

YANKEE  accommodation,  97, 
98. 

Yankee  Doodle,  119. 
Yates's,  94. 


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